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AFC - Match Report
match report 1939-40 fixture list
Regional League East 
02/01/1940
 
Aberdeen 6 - 2 Falkirk
Kick Off:  2:15 PM   Armstrong 6, Ferguson 10, Williams 15, Williams 35, Williams 48, Strauss 51.       Dawson 4, Dawson 51  
Attendance: 5,000
Venue: Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Dons in Rampant Form: Falkirk Trounced
Falkirk, who have been carrying all before them in the Eastern Section of the Scottish League, ran into a football cyclone at Pittodrie yesterday. They met an Aberdeen team that was in irresistible form. The Dons simply romped home.

There was one big factor in Aberdeen's sudden revival, and that was the inclusion in the side of Armstrong and Strauss. This pair are home on leave and, playing fast, clever and thrustful football on a difficult ground, they imbued the Dons with new life.
It was no makeshift Falkirk team that was beaten. They have been lucky enough to retain most of their players and they were at full strength.

ARMSTRONG DANGEROUS

Armstrong, leader of the home attack, kept the line moving smoothly, and every time he was in possession he threatened danger.
Strauss showed clearly that he has lost none of his old fire and dash, and he inspired fear in the hearts of the Falkirk defenders. Williams played up grandly, and had the distinction of scoring a hat-trick.
Aberdeen ' s football in the first half was brilliant. They moved rhythmically and purposefully. Falkirk got off to a flying start and were a goal up in four minutes. With fifteen minutes played the Dons were leading 3-1.
Dawson opened the scoring for the visitors when he met a cross from Carruthers with his head. Johnstone got his hands to the ball, but could not prevent it entering the net.

MAGNIFICENT DRIVE

Two minutes later Armstrong ran through to score with a magnificent drive from the edge of the penalty area.
There was holding the Dons after this and in ten minutes they were leading. Armstrong gave to Ferguson, and the inside-left beat Murray to send into the net. Following this goal Strauss and Williams changed places.
With fifteen minutes played Williams got a third goal, when he dashed in from the wing to meet a pass from Bain. He made home total four ten minutes from the interval after Strauss had beaten Peat and put him in possession.

WILLIAMS'S HAT-TRICK

The second half was only three minutes old when Williams completed his hat-trick after clever play by Armstrong and Strauss. Dawson reduced the leeway after five minutes' play, when he smashed the ball past Johnstone from a cross from Napier.
Right away the Dons made tracks for the Falkirk goal and Strauss beat McKie with a terrific drive from the corner of the penalty area.
That finished the scoring, but the visiting citadel was lucky not to fall again on more than one occasion.

Source: Press & Journal, 3rd January 1940

 
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Aberdeen Teamsheet:  Johnstone, Graham, Donald, Scott, Pattillo, Thomson, Williams, Bain, Armstrong, Ferguson, Strauss.

Unused Subs:

Bookings:

Falkirk Teamsheet:  McKie; McPhee, Peat; Duffy,Shankly, Murray; Carruthers, Miller, Keyes, Napier, Dawson

Bookings:

Referee: W. Webb, Glasgow

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