Aberdeen 2 - 1 Hibernian

Edited hy NORMAN MacDONALD

JIMMY COWAN, Scotland?s goalkeeper is going to have a serious rival for the title in the coming season.
Fred Martin, the Dons' well-built young 'keeper, can scarcely fail to gain recognition if he retains his present form. His displays attracted attention last season and his form in the summer tournament has been brilliant.
He gave another accomplished exhibition in Saturday's tie against Hibs at Pittodrie. He made the job look simple by his clever positional sense and sound judgment

FRED MARTIN is not the only Don who is forward with a strong claim for recognition. George Hamilton playing as well, if not better than ever. He a the guiding genius of the Aberdeen front line.
George Graham, the S.FA. secretary, was a spectator at Pittodrie on Saturday, and I have no doubt that the names of Martin and Hamilton have been noted potential as caps during the forthcoming season.

Of more immediate interest, however, is the prospect of the Dons bringing the St Mungo Cup north. On their form against Hibs they must have an even money chance against Celtic at Hampden on Wednesday as they did against Hibs, the address label on the trophy will be Pittodrie, not Celtic Park.

They were a more convincing and enterprising team than the League champions and they never let up from start to finish. Even the loss of the first goal failed to unsettle them.
The St Mungo Cup is a Glasgow competition, but if the Pittodrie lads play with the same zest and spirit on Wednesday as they did against Hibs, the address label on the trophy will be Pittodrie, not Celtic Park.

EMERY and Shaw played strongly, and the latter deserves special credit for the leech-like manner in which he clung to Gordon Smith.
Another medal for meritorious service must be awarded Thomson at centre-half. Again he had the better of the argument with Reilly, the Hibs spearhead. Aberdeen are fortunate to have two such capable pivots as Thomson and Young.
I thought Harris played strongly at right half. Not only was he effective in defence, but he found time to force on the attack.
Lowrie got through a lot of work at left half. Incidentally the young Fifer, Jimmy Walsh, seems to have been the kingpin in Celtic's victory over Raith Rovers. Lowrie will have noted the fact, and I don't think Walsh will get as many scoring chances on Wednesday.

HAMILTON was the No. 1 Aberdeen forward against Hibs, but the lively Yorston created a lot of trouble for the Edinburgh defence.
Bogan, who deputised for the injured Delaney, put up a good show on the right. It was his best display since coming to Pittodrie. His one fault was that he was inclined to attempt to beat one man too many.
Hibs disappointed. It was their forward line rather than their defence that was responsible for Saturday's failure. The Easter Road officials must be wondering what is causing the front line to misfire. They must find the answer quickly if they mean to retain the League flag.

ABERDEEN'S victory over Hibs has roused keen interest in the North over the Dons-Celtic final at Hampden Park on Wednesday and there is quite a brisk demand for Abereen's allocation of stand tickets for the final.

The Aberdeen FC. balance sheet reveals that the club made a profit of £1657 during the past year, an increase of £379 compared with the previous year. It has been recommended to pay a dividend of 10%.
The increase in profit has been achieved despite an increase in expenditure of £5720. The reason is that the Dons, both at Pittodrie and away from home, have been drawing bigger gates.

THE Aberdeen F.C. players rank among the best paid in the country, and the main item of expenditure is players' wages, which accounted for £28,921. This shows a rise of £3907 compared with the previous year.
The decrease of £lB4O in receipts from the Scottish Cup can be accounted for by the fact that last season the Dons played two games fewer than the year before.

A RATHER incongruous situation is revealed in the Scottish "C" Division League, where there is a slight drop in revenue despite the young Dons' success in this competition, which they came near to winning last season.
This has been caused by poor attendances at away matches, the receipts from which totalled only £777 as compared with £1661 (less guarantees, tax and levies) from home games.
Details of net gate receipts are: Scottish League, £23,279 Scottish League Cup, £11,926; Scottish Cup, £4733: Dewar Shield, £357; Scottish "C" Division League, £2438; Reserve League Cup, £1536: 2nd XI. Scottish Cup, £495; Miscellaneous. £719.

Source: Evening Express, 30th July 1951