Ford treble

Published Date: 27 November 2010
Aberdeen 2-3 Hearts
Nov 27, 1971
A SUPERB hat-trick from centre-forward Donald Ford helped Hearts shock league leaders Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Derek Renton, the 19-year-old Greenlaw forward, made his league debut for Hearts following a successful appearance in midweek when he scored the winning goal against Gornik.

The Dons, who had a formidable home record, were first to threaten, but Hearts keeper Jim Cruickshank did well to deal with a dangerous ball into the box. However, it was the Edinburgh outfit who almost grabbed the lead after six minutes.

Some good work from Ford out wide set up Renton who fired a glorious left-footer from just inside the box, but the ball came crashing back off the upright.

Aberdeen then went in search of an opener, with a Harper cross from the right beating Cruickshank only to be hooked to safety by Sneddon.

The crowd was over the 20,000 mark, and they were being treated to a fine match. A low, bouncing shot from Robb then caused Cruickshank a little bother but he grabbed the ball safely.

At the other end Winchester fired in a shot from 25 yards out which forced Clark to bring off a smart save.

A free kick from Buchan then found Graham in the clear, but the winger was off balance as he tried to turn the pass into the net.

Hearts thought they had taken the lead when Ford beat Clark to put the ball in the net - but the whistle had already gone for offside.

It was Hearts' turn to have an escape on the half-hour. Cruickshank raced out to pip Harper in a desperate dash, but his clearance went straight to Forrest, who lobbed the ball towards the empty goal. The 'keeper was relieved to see it flash inches over.

Hearts ended the half on the front foot but were unable to make the breakthrough before the interval.

After the break Hearts' Tommy Murray made a hash of a square pass from Brown to send a shot high over the bar.

Willoughby then fired a right-foot shot just off target. Offside decisions were frequent at both ends as forwards continued to be frustrated. But Hearts changed that in 53 minutes. when they made a deserved breakthrough.

Murray slipped the ball out to Ford on the left and the centre moved in fast to beat Clark with a rising shot.

Aberdeen brought on Miller for Graham and within seconds they were level, when Harper flicked a through pass from Robb into the net.

The Dons were in good fettle at last and Hearts had to dig in as the hosts sensed that victory was there for the taking.

The Pittodrie men edged ahead in 74 minutes when Robb showed superb composure to pick his spot with challengers closing in all round him.

A minute later Hearts had Jim Townsend ordered off for arguing with the referee after being booked.

But the ten men refused to be beaten and five minutes from the end Ford headed a magnificent equaliser for Hearts. And in 88 minutes the striker sealed a thrilling win for the Jambos when he headed home his third of the afternoon.

Taken from the Scotsman