We started brightly enough with Partridge managing a header just off target in the first minute. The pressure on the Dons goal continued and the reward came in fifteen minutes. Clarkson started a run by passing to McFadden on the right wing. James passed his man and sent a cross over to the near post. The young striker had continued the run and set us up with the first goal of the game.
The packed East Stand was now in full voice but there were many who were asking if we could secure our advantage and not concede an early reply.
We held out for all of three minutes.
How often have we conceded the sucker goal after scoring? A loose ball found Partridge and Hinds in is tussle for the ball twenty five yards from goal. The Don turned our man and had a shot on the turn directed across the goals to Dubordeau’s right hand corner. 1-1.
Worse was to follow. Our old friend Eric Deloumeaux then chipped in with his predictable goal. Not so much a chip though – he fired a speculative shot from around thirty five yards and despite an unobstructed view Frankie could only raise a flap at the ball as it cleared his head and hit the net.
Aberdeen then demonstrated how to finish off a game by scoring again in the next five minutes. Dubourdeau could only parry a well struck shot from an acute angle on the left and Sheerin had an easy finish. 3-1 down and so were the heads.
Half an hour gone and some ‘so called’ ‘Well fans had seen enough.
Terry made no change at half time and despite much huff and puff we made little progress. On the hour Adams and Vaughan were replaced by Offiong and Craig. We played the rest of the game with two at the back!
Wave after wave of attacks produced a penalty, ably converted by McFadden as the game drew to a close but we never looked like recovering the game.
Faddy and Pearo must have impressed Berti Volgts who watched the game from the main stand. (Craig Brown was there too).
At the end of the game the players received warm and polite applause for their efforts. The fans trooped from the ground knowing that we will finish this season at the bottom of the league. Not a good feeling.
Our fate is now invested in the twelve votes which will be cast next Friday. Regardless of the decision there is no escaping the fact that our inability to compete with our competitors in the bottom six has cost us dear. We have been displaying all the characteristics of a relegation bound team for months and can hardly complain (in footballing terms) if we are sent down.