Aberdeen and Dundee Were Equally to Blame,/p>
ABERDEEN is a dull place on a holiday. Over 20,000 people went to Pittodrie in the afternoon in search of excitement but their quest was in vain. The inter-city match with Dundee was barren of thrills, and a solitary goal by Harris did little to lighten the proceedmgs.
It was not as if the defensive play on either side was particularly good, but rather that none of the ten forwards seemed to have any ideas about getting goals.
Spectators looked in vain for one bit of inspired play to pep things up but it just wasn't there, and for that one side was as much to blame as the other.
Changes made in the Aberdeen line-up failed to bring about any noticeable improvement. Curran, who was given a run in goal, showed that he is fit to take Johnstone's place at any time, while Alan Massie seems to be worth a further trial at right back.
Fred Smith, former Hall and Co. forward was the other newcomer. He has plenty of life, and while he was not particularly incisive at close quarters, he was no worse than any of the other home forwards.
The continual switching of Waddell is having a detrimental effect on his play, and he was more successful at left half than has been on the other flank.
Stenhouse looked happier as half-back, and while Kenny Thomson made no serious mistakes he was not so dominant as usual.
The least said about the Pittodrie forwards the better. It was much the same with Dundee, for whom Pattillo started brightly and gradually faded from the scene as an attacking unit.
Boyd Progressive
In fact, the Dens Park team's most progressive player was Boyd at left half. He kept Hamilton quiet and repeatedly found time to come up with the ball. The response from the men in front was negative.
Follon was Dundee's best defender, while Gray was steady without being showy.
After Pattillo had caused some early flurries in the home defence, young Smith had the first try of note. He snapped up the ball as Harris took a quick throw-in and shot past the far post after beating Gray.
The best shot in this half came from Stott - a left foot drive which Curran parried brilliantly.
Pattillo almost snatched the lead with a surprise try near half-time, the ball dropping behind after striking the angle of the bar and post.
Second-half play was even more dull than the first, and when Aberdeen did find the net it wasn't a particularly inspiring goal. Williams got the ball over, and when Hamilton headed it down Harris was lying handy and promptly slammed home from close range.
Source: Press & Journal, 28th September 1948