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Injuries to Players of Both Sides Disorganise Play
FRASER MAY BE UNFIT TO TURN OUT AGAINST ST MIRREN,/p>
It was unfortunate that the return League match between Aberdeen and Hibernian at Pittodrie last night was spoiled by injuries. The Aberdeen team was disorganised for three-quarters of the game, while Hibs did not have their troubles to seek either, for they had also to make shifts in their placings.
The result was that the 15,000 odd spectators watched what was, for the most part, a rather scrappy game. The result was a blow to Aberdeen.
The first few minutes' play gave promise of a really worthwhile struggle. Aberdeen produced skilful and tricky football and kept the Hibs men on edge.
Fraser Hurt
However, an unfortunate incident completely changed the trend of affairs. Fraser received a leg injury and was crippling so badly that he could not resume at right-half. He went to the outside-right berth, while Mills went to right-half, McKenzie to inside-left, and Beynon to inside-right.
From then onwards the Dons' skipper was just a passenger. He suffered from a torn thigh muscle in his right leg, and will probably be unable to turn out on Saturday against St Mirren.
,b>Three Injuries
This was not the only misfortune to overtake the teams. About ten minutes from the interval there was an amazing mix-up near Hibs' goal, resulting in injuries to three players. Armstrong was chasing the ball when he, Miller, and Gourlay collided and fell in a heap. Miller and Gourlay left the field, the former being carried off on a stretcher. Armstrong received attention on the field.
Logan took position between the sticks, but Gourlay quickly returned. Miller had to get three stitches inserted in a wound on his nose, but resumed after the interval.
Mills stepped into the breach nobly after Fraser's injury, fulfilling his unaccustomed duties of half-back with zeal and skill.
Hibs took the lead early in the second half. Black finding the net. Soon after there was another rearrangement in the home team, Mills going into his accustomed place at inside-left, and Beynon falling into right-half berth.
Defences Hold Firm,/p>
Shortly after the Dons equalised, and then came a fight for the winner. Each team went at it, both of them crippled, but the defences held firm.
Beynon was another hero for Aberdeen at right-half, and many a Hibs' attack was foiled by his cunning.
Smith had a good day in goal, while Cooper and McGill played their usual safe game.
Falloon was hard-working and successful as ever, and usually had the measure Black. Thomson, too, played a strong game.
Armstrong got little opportunity to shine, due the dislocation of the forward line, and the fact that he was well covered by the defence. He, too, was crippling for a time.
Hibernian showed little class about their game. They kept pegging away, and it was their spirit rather than good football that won them their point - their first, by the way, for the season.
Second Half Goals
Both goals were scored in the second period. Five minutes after the interval Black put Hibs in front, heading home a Ritchie cross. Fifteen minutes later McGill took a free kick in his own half of the field and Armstrong jumped high to flick the bail into the net.
Source: Press & Journal, 20th August 1936
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