Aberdeen 2 - 0 Heart of Midlothian

Dons Gave Them Lesson in Snapping Chances By NORMAN MACDONALD WANTED: A first-class marksman. Aberdeen soccer enthusiasts will not be surprised if that notice is posted outside Tynecastle Park this morning. In the first half at Pittodrie on Saturday Hearts gave an elegant display on a ground that must have been nightmare for the faint-hearted. They were a goal down at the interval, and two down at the finish. For Hearts it was the old story of abundant polish and no punch. Sloan, Conn, Bauld, Wardhaugh and Williams were word perfect until they arrived in the vicinity of the penalty area, then they developed a stutter. Their clever, cohesive approach work in the opening period created scoring chances which they wasted with reckless abandon. Aberdeen's football seldom achieved the smooth efficiency of the Hearts team, but the Dons were equipped with the weapons that win matches - determination and the ability to seize scoring chances. Aberdeen held the reins in the second half. With luck they might have had more goals. Early in the period a terrific shot by Yorston glanced off Dougan on to the crossbar; later Pearson completed a mazy run with a shot that was bound for the net and McKenzie cleared on the goal-line, and in the closing minutes Brown, the Hearts 'keeper, was a trifle lucky to push a Baird header, from a Hamilton cross, against the woodwork. One reason for the harmony in the Hearts front rank in the first half was the excellent service they received from the men behind. NO SERVICE,/p> Hamilton and his team-mates never enjoyed the powerful urge from Anderson and Harris that the Tynecastle forwards did from Cox and Laing. Neither of the Pittodrie pair got into his stride. Harris in particular seemed lethargic. There is room for improvement in this department. Young, at centre half, was one Aberdeen player who strode purposefully through this game. All conditions seem to come alike to the hardy and enthusiastic Young. Martin was safe in the Aberdeen goal. I thought McKenna the more confident back, the hefty Emery probably being troubled by the precarious nature of the footing. Hamilton and Yorston were the most active and dangerous forwards. The inside right missed a glorious scoring chance early in he first half, but he claimed the two goals that won the match. Hearts had a sound left back in McKenzie, and Cox, Dougan and Laing were a good mid-line trio. The Tynecastle forwards were at once the pride and despair of the Edinburgh supporters who travelled north for the game. THE GOALS Both Aberdeen goals were the result of sound team-work. The first came in the twenty-third minute of the game. Hamilton positioned himself for a long-throw-in from Anderson and back-headed the ball towards the middle. Baird carried on the good work with his head and when the ball dropped at Yorston's feet, the inside right drove home from close range. It is worthy of note that both Hamilton and Baird were facing away from the goal when they made contact with the ball. Fifty-eight minutes had been clocked when the Dons increased their total. Pearson, Baird, Hamilton and Delaney all participated in the move that led to this counter. It was from a flick from the right winger that Yorston made the "kill."

Source: Press & Journal, 4th December 1950

Yes, the Dons got through, all right. But the big point from Pittodrie was the prodigality of those Hearts. Playing grand attacking football, they had more chances to win in 10 minutes of this game than Aberdeen had all through. Time after time, the Edinburgh forwards fairly ripped open the home defence, only for Conn, Bauld or Wardhaugh to place wildly past the post or over the bar. The Tynecastle team simply tossed this game away. A lad by the name of Harry Yorston was right there to catch it. Any time Aberdeen looked like having half a chance to score you could bet your bottom bawbee Yorston was on the spot ready to have a go. He wasn't always successful. In the 15th minute, for instance, a well-placed Hamilton header let him clean through. With only Brown to beat he shot weakly past. But, unlike Hearts' forward five, Yorston learned his lesson. Seven minutes later, Hamilton back-headed a throw-in from the right to Baird. In turn, Archie back-headed to Yorston. This time Harry made no mistake. Twelve minutes after the interval, the wee flaxen-haired terrier showed his teeth again. When a Pearson cross resulted in a scrimmage, Yorston came tearing in to whip home a low left-footer. To detail all Hearts' truly fantastic misses would require a catalogue that would make melancholy reading in Edinburgh. Perhaps the most incredible was when Bauld and Wardhaugh, with the whole goal to choose from, hammered the ball against 'keeper Martin. There's a lot of big Freddie, but hardly as much as all that. If Hearts can adjust their shooting boots they'll take some stopping. The interchanges of the forwards and the artistry of Cox and Laing was a joy to behold. Dons' defence earned great credit for standing up to some terrific pressure. Alec Young, covering more ground than an ordnance survey man, was again outstanding, with Martin, McKenna and Anderson little behind. The forwards, though scarcely so showy as Hearts, displayed some good football. What was more important, they'd more than a rough idea of where the net lay. Yorston, of course, took the eye. But Hamilton and Delaney had their moments too.

Source: The Sunday Post, 3rd December 1950