20/03/1937
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Aberdeen |
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1 - 1 |
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Rangers |
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| Kick Off:
3:00 PM |
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Mills 23. |
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Main 40 |
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| Attendance: 30,000
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| Venue: Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen |
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| ONE GOAL EACH AT PITTODRIE |
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DRAW WAS A GOOD RESULT
DEFENCES WERE ON TOP
The keen and resolute tackling of the defences was primarily responsible for the fact that the football in this vital duel between the League leaders did not come up to expectations.
Play was exhilarating and often thrilling, but it lacked the polish and sparkle looked for from teams of the reputation of Aberdeen and Rangers.
Neither side could cavil at the result. It was a hard and fast game between two well matched sides. Perhaps had Aberdeen not been engaged in a strenuous cup-tie with Hamilton at Douglas Park in mid-week they might have won. This can only be a matter of opinion, but undoubtedly the Dons were a livelier team in the first half than in the second.
RANGERS' EARLY SPARKLE
Rangers were a bright and breezy company for the first twenty minutes, and had their finishing been of the same standard as their outfield play they would have scored.
Aberdeen took some time to settle down, but once they found their feet they quickly took the lead. Twenty-three minutes had gone when Armstrong veered out to the left and slipped the ball into the middle for Mills to send past Dawson.
This goal came right on top of another thrilling incident. A smart interchange of positions between Armstrong and Strauss saw the South African strike Dawson on the chest with a fierce drive.
After they had taken the lead the Dons played well, but Rangers always threatened danger and it did not come altogether as a surprise when the Light Blues drew level five minutes from the interval.
LEVEL
Smith worked his way out to the right before swinging the ball out to Kinnear on the left. The winger lobbed it into the middle, and although Johnstone dashed from his charge in an effort to clear Main beat him to the ball to head into the net.
Rangers were slightly the more aggressive in the second half, but the Dons defended stoutly and towards the end they made a gallant bid to get the winning goal. Dawson held a terrific drive from McKenzie, and Strauss darted through from an Armstrong slip to smash the ball narrowly past.
The Aberdeen defence was well tested for long periods, but was generally sound. Johnstone proved himself a capable 'keeper and dealt confidently with all that came his way. Cooper was the weak link in the home defence. He was kept guessing by Kinnear in the first half, and it was from this wing that most danger threatened. After the interval the right back got a grip of Kinnear.
FALLOON OUTSTANDING
Although his kicking was a trifle wild at times, Temple played sound game and gave Main little scope. Falloon, however, was the outstanding home defender. At a big disadvantage physically against the burly Smith, the Irishman contrived with a fair measure of success to keep the opposing leader in subjection, and on numerous occasions he helped his backs out of awkward situations.
Dunlop was the better wing half, combining defence and attack judiciously, but Thomson put in a lot of useful work in defence.
The Aberdeen forwards found it difficult to pierce a solid Rangers defence. The most successful of the quintette was McKenzie, whose clever ball control on numerous occasions enabled him to change the run of play.
Beynon was prominent on the right in the first half with some smart crosses, but Strauss was too carefully guarded by Gray to be as dangerous usual. On the few occasions he did elude the Ibrox right back he was menace to Rangers' goal.
MILLS DISAPPOINTING,/p>
Armstrong was opposed to an excellent centre-half in Simpson, and although given little rope, tried hard to keep the line moving. Mills gave a disappointing display and was but a shadow of the player who did so well at Hamilton.
Gray and Simpson were outstanding in the visiting rear lines. The right back positioned himself cleverly and tackled strongly, Simpson dominated the centre of the field.
Dawson in goal did not appear so confident as usual, but McDonald played a hard game. Brown was the more stylish wing half and was seen to advantage in attack. McKillop. too, was effective.
Kinnear was the danger man in attack, having a good turn of speed and clever ball control. McPhail and Venters were strong, forcing inside forwards, while Smith and Main required careful watching.
Source: Press & Journal, 22nd March 1937
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Aberdeen Teamsheet:
Johnstone, Cooper, Temple, Dunlop, Falloon, Thomson, Beynon, McKenzie, Armstrong, Mills, Strauss.
Unused Subs:
Bookings: |
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Rangers Teamsheet:
Dawson; Gray, McDonald; McKillop, Simpson, Brown; Main, Venters, Smith, McPhail, Kinnear
Bookings: |
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| Referee: |
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W. Webb, Glasgow |
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