Maroon Memories: Hammy hits a cracking winner

Aberdeen 1-2 HeartsOctober 5, 1968

A THUNDERING shot from Willie Hamilton which restored Hearts' lead three minutes after the interval at Pittodrie was the highlight of the game.

Jim Fleming had put Hearts ahead with an early goal but Aberdeen equalised through Dave Robb.

Mtahcwinner Hamilton's game was marred by a booking in the 60th minute.

For Hearts, Ian Sneddon sat the game out on the bench as Davie Holt deputised at right-back in his first appearance of the season. Otherwise, they fielded the team which had finished the previous week's match with Donald Ford on the right wing.

For the Dons, Martin Buchan deputised for Tommy Craig at left-half.

Although rain and heavy mist in the surrounding districts cut the attendance, the Aberdeen fans gave a big welcome to young Jim Hamilton, who made his debut at centre-forward in the absence of Jim Forrest.

But it was Aberdeen's Clark who was the first goalkeeper in action when he gathered a Donald Ford shot after a neat through-pass from Macdonald.

Hearts were full of aggression and, after Rene Moller had forced a corner, Fleming opened the scoring in the fifth minute.

Ford headed into the net soon afterwards, but the whistle had already gone for offside.

Aberdeen looked like equalising in the 12th minute when Rae shot from point-blank range but Jim Cruickshank got his face in the way and was temporarily knocked out. Rae was out of luck again following a free-kick when he was only inches wide.

Aberdeen were threatening to get on top with Smith and Rae putting in a lot of work. They were finding Hearts' strong tackling, however, a big obstacle. Trouble flared in the 21st minute when Cruickshank was hurt after saving from Smith. For a moment it looked as if there would be a free-for-all but tempers cooled.

Hearts almost increased their lead after a fine move in the 30th minute when Ford was unlucky to turn a splendid header against the underside of the bar, with Clark well beaten.

Another goal at this stage would not have flattered Hearts, but Aberdeen got one instead in the 34th minute - a fine individual effort from Robb, who thrust off a tackle by Mann to race on and crash an unstoppable shot high into the net.

Hamilton had the ball in the net for the Dons, but he looked offside and the whistle had gone before he shot.

And Hamilton's great goal restored Hearts' lead three minutes after the interval. Good work by Jim Fleming and Ford gave him a difficult chance at about knee-height but, one great stride, a tremendous left-foot volley, and the ball was in the net before Clark could move.

Hearts brought on Miller as a replacement for Fleming who appeared to be limping in the 54th minute then Townsend was injured, but recovered after treatment.

After an hour's play, Hamilton had his name taken following a tackle on Taylor. Just after Aberdeen had brought on Johnston for Rae, Cruickshank did well to save a Shewan free-kick which had been diverted by Taylor.

And so it finished 2-1 to Hearts. A classic goal by Willie Hamilton was the feature of the game, but the man who caught attention throughout was Ford, back to his dangerous, daring best in a hard tussle.

Aberdeen: Clark, Hermiston, Shewan, Peterson, McMillan, Buchan, Rae, Robb, J Hamilton, Smith, Taylor. Sub: Johnson.

Hearts: Cruickshank, Holt, Mann, Townsend, E Thomson, MacDonald, Ford, W Hamilton, J Fleming, Moller, G Fleming. Sub: Miller.