Motherwell 2 - 0 Aberdeen

Williams's Return Won't Solve All Problems
By NORMAN MACDONALD

ABERDEEN F.C. are at the cross-roads. Unless there is an early transfusion of new blood their challenge in Scottish football this season will fade and die.
If the solution lies at Pittodrie it has yet to be discovered. Few of the reserve players have so far staked a strong claim for consideration.

Stan Williams has been missed. I believe the return of the South African will bring an improvement. To assume that this will solve all the problems, however, is simply wishful thinking.
The Dons attack at Motherwell was not a success. There was little cohesion and less thrust. Even in the first half when Aberdeen played with more confidence than the 'Well - there was only a penalty goal between them at the interval - the team was unbalanced.
The left wing was completely lacking in match-winning ideas. Both McCall and Millar were indecisive and indirect. Harris played well in the first twenty minutes, but wasted many balls by reckless shooting. It would have been more profitable had he concentrated in getting the ball into the middle.
Baird was another who promised great things in the first half-hour. He was good on the ball, but was prone to hold it too long.
Hamilton at centre, lacking support, tried hard to wage a one-man war against Paton and Co.
Yet I thought if he had seized one of the few chances that came his way the game might have run a different course.
It was after Motherwell had scored their penalty goal. Unexpectedly the centre found himself in possession in-the open. There was only Johnston between him and success. The 'keeper left his charge and as Hamilton attempted to guide the ball past him into goal Johnson deflected it with his outstretched fingers.

Fast Wingers Wanted

In short, the forwards just were'nt good enough for the job. fast and direct wingers are Aberdeen's greatest need.
The Pittodrie defence had their work cut out in the second half. Motherwell were definitely on top during this period.
There's this to be said for the defence. If their display wasn't beyond criticism, they certainly didn't lack fighting spirit. Johnstone, Cowie and Waddell were particularly effective.
This defeat leaves the Dons in a somewhat delicate position. It now looks as if goal average will decide whether they or Motherwell will represent "A" Section in the match-play stages of the League Cup. The Lanarkshire team have the advantage at the moment.
The answer will be provided on Saturday first. Aberdeen are at home to Queen of the South and Motherwell tackle St Mirren at Paisley. And the Dons must keep their goal intact in their last game.
The Motherwell defence was sound and they had a pair of good wing half-backs in McLeod and Redpath, who seldom lost touch with the men in front.
Bremner and Watson were clever on the ball, and Barclay on the left was a fast and dangerous raider. I doubt if the Fir Park club will get the best out of Humphries at centre forward.
Motherwell's first goal came in twenty-six minutes. Held up by McKenna, Bremner turned back, but the left back followed up and brought his opponent down in the corner of the penalty box. Kilmarnock converted the kick.
Bremner got the second twenty-five minutes after the start of the second half with a magnificent drive from a cross from McLeod.

Source: Press & Journal, 8th September 1947