Come on You Redz!
Fixture List 2003/2004
July
A
0-1
A
3-1
A
1-2
A
3-0
A
2-0
A
0-0
A
1-2
A
3-1
August
H
1-5
SPL
A
0-2
H
2-3
H
1-2
A
1-1
September
H
2-1
A
0-2
H
League Cup 2nd Round Dumbarton
3-1
H
0-3
October
A
3-1
H
0-1
A
0-4
League Cup 3rd Round Brechin City
5-0
November
H
0-3
H
0-1
A
0-2
A
2-2
December
H
League Cup Quarter Final Livingston
2-3
H
3-1
A
3-0
H
2-2
A
1-1
January
H
3-1
H
Cup - Dundee
0-0
A
2-3
A
3-2
H
1-3
A
February
A
A
0-1
H
1-1
H
2-0
A
0-1
A
1-0
March
H
H
1-1
H
0-0
A
1-1
H
1-2
A
1-3
April
H
3-0
A
H
0-2
2-1
A
0-2
May
0-2
H
0-1
A
0-4
H
1-2
THANK GOODNESS THAT SEASON IS OVER - NOW GET THINGS SORTED AND GET OFF TO A FLYER NEXT TIME!!!!
Anybody care to predict what happens next?
Sat 19
Inverness C. T.
Missed chances cost the Dons the game when McQuilken gave away a penalty to give Caley the result
Sat 19
Montrose
A pair of goals by Michael Bird plus a capper by Morrison clinched the result for this youthful
Dons' team.
Mon 21
Brechin
Lee Hinds got the Dons goal, but this was a disappointingly heartless performance, with the young
team not seeming to bothered about losing. They need to get much more combative and eager to win - no matter what
the nature of the game they are playing in.
Tue 22
Peterhead
Bird grabbed two more goals and the dependable Paul Sheerin got the third to make the hosts evening
incomplete. The fanzine movement was given a shot in the arm when Budgie Stewart came on for Bird - the potential
puns and gags will add fresh plumage to the fun filled pages of TRF this season.
Sat 26
Swanea (at Bradford)
Swansea gave the Dandies a good workout but Mackie and Sheerin got the goals that put the Redz into
tomorrow's final against Bradford - Deano and all.
Sun 27
Bradford City (at Bradford)
This drab encounter went to penalties and the Dons came out on top 5-4 with successful kicks by
Bird, Hinds, Clark, Sheerin and Hart. David Preece kept one penalty out, having made a spectacular save in the
first half and earned himself the fans' MOM.
Tue 29
Forfar
The only face saving moment in this game was the goal by Rutkiewicz, hopefully the players got a
good bollocking at the end of the game.
Tue 29
Elgin
A triple score by Leigh Hinds was a boost for the Dandies as they near the end of the friendly campaign.
The overall performance left something to be desired tho' and the boss will be keen to get on with the real thing.
Tue 5
Liverpool
After making a good showing in the first half with a goal from Zdrilic and a penalty save from Preece,
they were given a lesson in the second. The trouble was that Liverpool fielded pretty much their second string
in the 1st and when the 1st teamers came on for the 2nd half they probably didn't really step on the gas. Different
class folks, no team in Scotland could compete, but that is the kind of standard we have to aim for.
Sat 09
Hearts
Dowdy first half where we really lost the match, but throughout the second it looked more like we
would pull it back. The real failing was that there were far too few efforts on goal and despite a sound debut
from Heikkinen the midfield really didn't get a strong enough hold. It's hard to imagine Hearts being winners very
often without De Vries in their line up, although they probably won't lose too often either. The Dandies? Let's
see how it goes once all the new guys are properly settled in and up to full fitness.
Sat 16
huns
Take heart from this game. The Dons showed more fight and drive than they have in years and had
Scott Booth scored before the huns equalised, the outcome could have been very different. The second goal we lost
was through chaotic defending and that needs sorting, but there were far more positives to take than negatives,
not least Zdilic' opening goal. Deloumeaux scored the second. Mackie needs to take a long hard look at himself.
The Dons opened their first century with a draw and their second with a defeat, but they will doubtless improve
faster this time than they did a hundred years ago when it took them 44 years to win a trophy.
Sat 23
Dunfermline
Talk about in like a lion and out like a lamb! The Dandies fired on all cylinders and looked like
they'd hammer the Pars - right up till we scored and then it all went wrong. The goals we lost were terrible and
the Redz just allowed themselves to be shoved around. Zdrilic scored a great goal tho' - go it Skippy!
Sat 30
Hibernian
Yet again, a strong start and a struggling finish, but a point has been clocked up at last and that
without some of our top players being involved. Anderson did the captain's job and led by example, including scoring
the vital goal. It has to be said, though, that Hibs were the better team over the piece and miles better than
Dunfermline were the week before. Still. roll on the next game - shame it is two weeks away. PLAYED: 4 POINTS:
1 POSITION: 11
Sat 13
Partick Thistle
Thank F*!# for that! It was hardly panic stations at this stage of the season, but you can imagine
the field day that the press would have had with us if we'd failed to clock up a win with this one - especially
after such a poor showing against Thistle last season. Booth and Anderson got the necessary goals to bring home
the points, maybe covering up the otherwise shoogly performance but those points were SO important. PLAYED: 5 POINTS: 4 POSITION: 9
Sat 20
Dundee
Frankly, this was a piss poor performance! Yes, there was a good work rate from most of the players
and even a couple of quality individual performances, but in the main it was chronically inept. Two players stood
out for their ineffectual contributions, but others were not too far behind them. McQuilken and Tiernan should
be strung up by their balls - if they have any - for their lack of pace, poor positioning and dreadful passing.
That the manager persists in leaving Deloumeaux out of the side beggars belief. We all know and accept that he
isn't the hardest worker in the squad, but at least he can play fitba. Why not get him into the midfield where
others can win the ball for him and he can prompt the play? He's ideal for that job. Don't be too hard on Zdrilic
though, he's hardly strung a run of games together yet so can hardly be expected to be on top form - his day will
come. PLAYED: 6 POINTS: 4 POSITION: 10
Tue 23
A somewhat shaky victory, but it was all about confidence building, getting Skippy fit and breaking
in . Shame about the pathetic crowd, but two goals from Zdrilic and one from Hinds saw us through the second round.
Sat 27
Livingston
Let's hope that it really is always darkest before the dawn. PLAYED: 7 POINTS: 4 POSITION: 11
Sat 04
Kilmarnock
What a transformation. The good football that the Dandies have played in patches came together in
a determined and quite polished performance that was 3-1 going on 5-1. This could rate as one of the better games
played by an Aberdeen team in recent years and should definitely provide a platform to build from. Zdrilic, Tosh
and Booth provided the vital ingredient - goals. PLAYED: 8 POINTS: 7 POSITION: 10
Sat 18
Dundee United
Oh dear, oh dear! We really needed to win this one but Phil McGuire's indecisive play made sure
that we didn't. We knew already, of course, that one missing piece of the jigsaw was a dominant defender and now
it is being confirmed most weeks. When the transfer window opens, this should be a priority - no matter what. This
team can do much better, but they need to start doing it pretty quick. PLAYED: 9 POINTS:
7 POSITION: 11
Sat 25
tims
This was a weird result. The prime problem was the loss of such an early goal, but the Dandies looked
confident and attacked after that and really should have scored. This, though, was a game where the defence let
us down, including giving away a soft free kick and a softer penalty. The biggest difference between the two teams
was finishing power and the fact that even if we had gotten into it the tims could have just upped the pace and
its doubtful whether we could. PLAYED: 10 POINTS: 7 POSITION: 11
Tues 28th
H
Brechin were not very good here, but this was still an important win and the outstanding play from
Muirhead in the first half made sure that there could be no slip. In fact the sore was five going on fifteen, with
two disallowed and the keeper in great form. Tosh, Booth, Sheerin, Muirhead and Hinds got the goals that counted
though and we are into the quarter-finals. Gonnae give us a good draw?
Sat 01
Motherwell
Oh SHIT!
Sun 09 - 4 p.m.
Hearts
We may have lost this, but we deserved more from it and the game definitely offered hope for the
rest of the season. Just go out and do the biz Dons and you'll reap the rewards.PLAYED: 12
POINTS: 7 POSITION: 11
Sat 22
huns
The sending off of Diamond decided the match but the Dons fought hard and were not embarrassed. The scoreline was
a travesty. PLAYED: 13 POINTS: 7 POSITION: 11
Sat 29
Dunfermline
We had all just about forgotten what a point looks like when this one pops up against the odds.
The Dandies actually seemed to adapt quite well to the plastic pitch and although Dunfermline looked the more dangerous
overall, the points really should have come north. It was appalling that the team should so quickly allow Dunf
to pull back a morale boosting goal. They ought to have belted the ball anywhere rather than let Pars back into
it. Still, a point is welcome enough these days and Deloumeaux and Booth got the goals to earn it although Preece
played a huge part in it too. PLAYED: 14 POINTS: 8 POSITION: 11
Tue 02
Well, the fans didn't turn up in numbers to help the team and that despite the well publicised price
cuts, so not only did people fail to back the team performance but they actually made the finances worse as well.
However, the team itself did the worst financial damage to AFC by failing to make this a rip-roaring cup tie where
their will to win and competitive edge should have secured a victory. Instead they looked for most of the match
like they were at a practice match. Do they really not care about the state of the club? Steve Tosh was the shining
beacon of fighting spirit, along with Zander Diamond. Booth worked hard but didn't get enough of the ball at his
feet. What planet were the rest on?
Sun 07
Hibernian
Yahoo! A result at Pittodrie, add that to the draw at Dunfermline and we have hit the best
run of league form since we last played Hibees. Not much to go on of course, but the gauntlet is down to the team
to do even better by winning at Firhill on Saturday and busting this average of a point a game.. Hinds got the
opener and Booth scored the others to clinch the much needed points. PLAYED: 15 POINTS:
11 POSITION: 11
Sat 13
Partick Thistle
Not a pretty performance, but so important in creating security and confidence. Anderson scored
two headers and could have had a hat-trick whilst Clark got the easy third. The Redz didn't dominate the game but
stuck at it and took their chances - three valuable points bagged. PLAYED: 16 POINTS: 14
POSITION: 11
Sat 20
Dundee
A great game to watch in a soaked and near swampy Pittodrie, with both teams giving their all for
the points. Losing Diamond cost the Dons dear as Dundee managed to pull back Anderson's opener in the dying seconds
of the first half. Dundee cashed in on defensive chaos to get ahead before Hinds forced an own goal for the equlaiser. The chances of moving up the league seem to be improving. PLAYED: 17 POINTS: 15 POSITION: 11
Sat 27
Livingston
The extending of a bit of an unbeaten run after such a poor start to the season is quite enjoyable,
but this was two points thrown away - Clark missed a sitter late in the match and could have wrapped up the three
points that Scott Booth had set us on course to win. Losing a goal so late in the match was a travesty of our own
making. Pele said that he wasn't too unhappy with the draw as he felt Livvy deserved something from the match -
bugger that, we need all the points we can get whether we deserve them or not so we'll have no more of that sort
of talk. Let's get up this table! PLAYED: 18 POINTS: 16 POSITION: 11
Sat 03
Kilmarnock
This was a good and important win for the Dandies, bringing them much closer to the rest of the
pack and moving them up one place in the table. It also served a timely reminder that there is no room for complacency
with a carelessly conceded goal. Diamond, Tosh and Hinds secured the scoreline and the points and most of the match
was extremely one-sided so things seem to be on the up but we are still only averaging a point per game. PLAYED: 19 POINTS: 19 POSITION: 10
Sat 10th
Well it was a pretty typical cup tie and lived up to the potential attractiveness with all but the
goals. The Dons weren't at their best but have extended their unbeaten run and live to fight another day. Don't
screw up the replay ladz we need the win!
Sat 17
Dundee United
We blew this one. The Dandies were not playing well but managed to fight back from 1-0 down to take
the lead and looked like they could win it - what a handy asset to play poorly and take the points - but then the
carelessness got too much and they allowed the sand dancers in at the death. Points needlessly thrown away. Booth
and Clark were credited with the goals.PLAYED: 20 POINTS: 19 POSITION: 11
Wed 21
Cup Replay - Dundee
A genuine curate's egg of a match with the Dandies starting brightly falling by the wayside then blossoming before
ending up on the rack, but it was a great game to be at. All three of our goals were good ones, with Clark setting
the standard before Heikkinen broke his personal scoring duck with a gem and Zdrilic finished it off. The goals
we conceded were sloppy but we're through to face the might of Falkirk and the possibility of progress to a bigger
match thereafter.
Sat 24 - 12:30 k.o.
Tims
This was a game that needed the Redz to get stuck right in but they never really got going. They need to fight
these matches harder in their heads, ignoring the press propaganda and convincing themselves that they CAN beat
the weegies. Tosh took his chance well, but the victory for the visitors was comfortable. PLAYED:
21 POINTS: 19 POSITION: 11
Sat 31
Motherwell
POSTPONED!!!! - The SPL must introduce rules to guard against this kind of late postponement. The weather forecast
the day before was very clear that this could happen and that traveling could be difficult. Motherwell should be
punished for failing to call it off earlier.
Sat 7
Cup - Falkirk
2-0
Goals from Zdrilic (one of the scrappiest on record surely?) and Booth made sure the Dandies marched on in the
cup and that the dreadful conditions didn't drag us down to Falkirk's level. Falkirk did make it hard for us but
AFC were definitely the better side.
Wed 11
Hearts
Got into the game after a torrid start but lost out in the end after Diamond gave away a penalty,
just as Hearts were starting to panic.PLAYED: 22 POINTS: 19 POSITION: 11
Sat 14 - 12:30 k.o.
huns
The Dandies really gave the huns a humping here, but a mixture of missed chances and great form
from Klos left us with a solitary point after Diamond had put us in front right at the start and we had held out
for some 85 minutes. PLAYED: 23 POINTS: 20 POSITION: 11
Sat 21
Dunfermline
Hey! A clean sheet in the league, there's a turn up. McGuire and Booth made sure that the Pars had no way into
the game. McGuire is looking more like his old self. PLAYED: 24 POINTS: 23 POSITION: 11
Tue 24
Motherwell
Rearranged fixture. A dreadful game played in dreadful conditions, the Dons simply weren't up for
it and eventually reaped the reward. PLAYED: 25 POINTS: 23 POSITION: 11
Sat 28
Hibernian
Stung into life by tough words from the manager, the Dons pulled off a decent away win at a favoured hunting ground.
Morrison scored after five minutes and the defence played more than well enough to hold the lead. PLAYED:
26 POINTS: 26 POSITION: 11
Sat 06
Partick Thistle
Postponed for Cup quarter final
Sat 06
Cup QF - Livingston
This was a poor match but Muirhead pulled us back into it after Anderson had scored an own goal. Livingston were
never going to score otherwise. On to the replay.
Tue 09
Partick Thistle
What a let down, Partick were dreadful, the Dandies carved out and missed chance after chance. This was another
case of throwing away points. PLAYED: 27 POINTS: 27 POSITION: 11
Sat 13
Dundee
The second game in a row where the Dons dominated but failed to get a winner. Dundee scored first with a free kick,
Hinds managed an eqaliser but we are living to regret the weakness up front. PLAYED: 28 POINTS:
28 POSITION: 9
Sat 20
Livingston
No wonder everybody is getting frustrated. Aberdeen had by far the best of the play, got back on level terms through
a goal by Hinds then threw it all away with yet another blunder. PLAYED: 29 POINTS: 28 POSITION:
9
Sat 27
Kilmarnock
Crap, crap, crap, crap crap! Still, Prunty scored at last and McGuire was playing like a train.PLAYED:
30 POINTS: 28 POSITION: 11
Sat 03
Dundee United
Wow! Three goals, three points, a clean sheet and a great performance to enjoy. What happened since last week?
These Dandies of ours really know how to bemuse the unsuspecting supporter. Hinds had a great game and opened the
scoring, McGuire was a tower of strength and chipped in the second and Sheerin, having his best game in ages added
the third. The team played a direct and composed game and could easily have doubled the score. More please! PLAYED: 31 POINTS: 31 POSITION: 10
Sat 10
tims
Postponed.......
Sat 17
Motherwell
Pathetic, wasn't it? PLAYED: 32 POINTS: 31 POSITION: 11
Wed 21
A
tims
The time honoured phrase is: YA BEAUTY!!! This was a stout performance from a team comprising of too many youngsters
against a too strong opponent, but they didn't let that deflect them and were well worth the win. Naturally TRF
was represented in the small pack of Rudolphs that turned up. If only we could play them every week...... Goals
from Prunty and Zdrilic (!) did the trick. All that and sour grapes from O'Neill. Much, much more please. PLAYED: 33 POINTS: 34 POSITION: 10
And NOW - that bloody stupid and unconstructive split....
Sat 24
Livingston
Kids couldn't get down from the high. PLAYED: 34 POINTS: 34 POSITION: 11
Sat 1
A
Partick
It was the experienced players let us down here but we still had much of the play and couldn't score. PLAYED:
35 POINTS: 34 POSITION: 11
Sat 8
Hibernian
The kids put up a fantastic fight and dominated the game but Hibs - who were rubbish - broke upfield and grabbed
their winner in the dying seconds. Kids couldn't get down from the high. PLAYED: 36 POINTS: 34 POSITION:
11
Wed 12
Kilmarnock
Mature physiques against youthful endeavour. No contest in the end. PLAYED: 37 POINTS: 34 POSITION:
11
Sat 16
Dundee
For much of the game it looked like the kids would hold their lead, but Dundee ground them down and a bit of naivety
plus the loss of Marcus late on, cost us once again. Foster got our goal. PLAYED: 38 POINTS: 34
POSITION: 11