Aberdeen 2 - 1 Motherwell

Dons' Win Was Well Merited

THE Motherwell victory has eased the Pittodrie tension. The Dons are now comfortably established about the middle of the Scottish "A" League table. The win against the Lanarkshire team was merited, but it would simply be wishful thinking to imagine that the Pittodrie problems are solved.

The Dons might have beaten Motherwell more decisively. Territorially they were masters in the second half and in the closing minutes of the game McCall had a grand chance to score from a slip from Yorston, while Johnstone, in the Motherwell goal, brought off a brilliant save from Yorston.
The Steelmen never gave up the fight. In their breakaways they always looked to me as if they might well snatch the equaliser.

Well-planned Goal

I thought Aberdeen's winning goal nineteen minutes after the start of the second period was a well-conceived affair.
Yorston collected the ball on the right and veered across the field to put McCall in possession. The winger avoided Kilmarnock's tackle and slid the ball into the middle along the ground. Kelly came in to meet it and jabbed it into the net from close range.
Keen rather than cunning describes the exchanges in the first half, and a 1-1 draw at half-time struck as being a reasonable state of affairs.
The Dons opened the scoring in nine minutes. Johnstone, in the Motherwell goal, nipped from his charge to punch out a free kick from McKenna before Kelly could make contact. The ball dropped at Yorston's feet and the inside man slammed it home from just outside the penalty area.
Dunlop was caught off guard when Motherwell equalised in thirty-five minutes. It was a clever Watters-Watson move on the Fir Park right that led to the score. Watson gathered a pass from his partner, rounded Dunlop, and drove into the roof of the net.

Cooper Wears Well

The Pittodrie defence was sound, although it did not inspire confidence at all times. Willie Cooper wears well. His clever positional play pleased the 25,000 crowd.
McKenna was game enough, but his kicking was inclined to be erratic in the first half, and there were times when Humphries had the beating of Dunlop on the ground. Cowie, without doubt, is the Dons' most consistent half back.
Yorston arrived home on leave from the Army at the right time. He has proved a useful acquisition over the festive season. He is due to return to his unit on January 13, so he will be available for this week's game at Parkhead.
McCall was a lively raider in the second half, but, lacking support, Kelly was seen only in glimpses.

Source: Press & Journal, 5th January 1948