Hibernian 0 - 1 Aberdeen

By Norman MacDonald

THE Dons’ next three games are against Dunfermline, Clyde and Hibs at Pittodrie. If they win all three they are practically certain to qualify for the match-play stages of the League Cup.
They haven't made the grade in this competition since season 1950-51. They got off to a flying start at Easter Road.
Three home victories would give them eight points, a total which neither Hibs nor Clyde could better. Dunfermline shocked the cup holders, but I doubt if they will last the pace. We will have the opportunity of assessing the strenght the Dunfermline challenge at Piltodrie on Wednesday.
It was a tight squeeze at Easter Road. Hibs’ supporters were quick to claim that Aberdeen were lucky. I must agree the home side were seen more often in attack than the Dons.
Either it must be a compliment to the Aberdeen defence or an indictment against the finishing of the Hibs’ forwards that the Edinburgh attackers failed to score.

Sterling Display

In point of fact it was a combination of both. The Piltodrie defence gave a sterling display and must be given most of the credit for the Dons' narrow success.
The hero was Fred Martin. The big 'keeper gave a magnificent display. He has only to continue in this form to wipe out the memory of the game against England at Wembley last April which cost him his international rating.
No less inspired was the play of Tommy Younger in the Hibs’ goal and the 32,000 crowd must have left Easier Road convinced that they had seen in action the two best ’keepers in Scotland.

Invaluable Work

Alec Young was another Pittodrie defender who did invaluable work. Reilly, the Hibs leader, will be prepared to testify to this. Whenever he gained possession he was confronted by the Dons' centre-half.
Caldwell, too, deserves a pat on the back. He had some anxious moments against the roaming Gordon Smith, but, no matter where the right winger wandered, Caldwell was sure to go.
The Aberdeen defence as a whole can look back on their opening match with satisfaction. There could be no criticism of the Dons’ winning goal. It was a slick affair. A lightning dash through by Yorston and Wishart, a quick transfer to the right by the inside left, and Buckley moved in at top speed to crack the ball past Younger.
The Aberdeen attack, however, did not reveal the same offensive spirit as the Hibs five. Buckley’s goal was a winner in every sense of the word, but there was unusual lethargy about the centre's play. This is accounted for by the fact that he was suffering from a cold and experienced some difficulty with his breathing.
Wishart played an active part in most of the Dons’ attarking moves. He has developed a most deceptive swerve, and gives early indication of a more effective inside forward this season than he was last term.

Plenty of Pluck

It was a big occasion fot 19-year-old reserve George Mulball but he showed plenty of pluck and didn’t do at all badly.
Although it was a hard and exacting game at Easter Rond, Mr David Shaw, the Aberdeen manager, reports "no injuries." The chances are that the club will field the same eleven against Dunfermline Athletic at Piltodrie on Wednesday.

Source: Evening Express, 15th August 1955