Hamilton 2 - 1 Aberdeen

There were few thrills in the game at Douglas Park, Hamilton. The greasy ground, owing to heavy rain which fell just prior to the match, and the "patching" of both teams, may have been in measure responsible. Neither set of forwards exhibited cohesive movement, and the verdict went to the side which, in Thornley, possessed the only "shot" in the respective attacks. The Academicals' centre-forward scored fifteen minutes after starting, and again five minutes after the interval. Hannah was injured in the first half, and retired for good fifteen minutes from time, and the game seemed won and lost till five minutes from time, when Wilson broke through and scored for Aberdeen. Concoran was ordered off a few minutes from time for tripping up an opponent, and there was a sporting finish, with Aberdeen making a bid to pull the issue out of the fire.

Source: The Scotsman, 22nd September 1919

Injuries to Hannah, Brewster, and a Wright; the retiral of the first-named 20 minutes from the end; and the ordering off of Corcoran, the home inside left, provided the unwelcome incidents in a strenuous game at Douglas park, where Hamilton Academicals were fortunate to defeat Aberdeen by 2 goals to 1. There were only 3000 spectators, and the weather was showery, and a heavy, greasy ball and soft ground militated against good play. On the run of the game, Aberdeen had quite as much of the play as the victorious Academicals, and, had the excepted their chances and finished at least on equal terms, nobody could have cavilled. The game was 25 minutes old when Academicals opened the scoring. Thornley, the centre-forward, forced his way through, and was tackled by Hannah. The back was hurt in the encounter, and the ball passed between his legs into the net, Anderson being blinded and powerless to save. Academicals increased their lead just after the interval, when Hall broke off on the right, and squaring to Thornley, that player deflected the ball into the net. Aberdeen's goal came 8 minutes from the end. Connon got off and, when tackled, swung the ball well out to the left for Archibald to return in front of goal, and Wilson after deliberately steadying himself, gave the home keeper no chance with a fast, rising shot. The opening stages of the game favoured the Academicals, and the Aberdeen side could not get going with anything like precision, and Hannah and Hutton got through a tremendous amount of work at back. After the home side had taken the lead, Aberdeen pull themselves together, and in the closing stages of the first half shots were rained in upon Mason, who, however, was very sound. After a clever movement, McLauchlan almost scored, and Archibald had a good right foot effort from close range, which went behind. Wylie missed a glorious chance when he failed to catch a high ball from Connon, which dropped in the goalmouth, and Robertson failed to shoot with any force when well placed. Had Aberdeen used these opportunities in this period, they would not have been a goal behind at the interval.

Ordered Off

In the earlier stages of the second period it seemed that Aberdeen were to be well beaten, but, following the retirement of Hannah, he came away in great style, and, playing one back, confined the Academicals to their own territory. At this stage they were distinctly unfortunate. Robertson got through, and was "grassed" in the penalty area, but got the ball away to Archibald, who shot was blocked at close quarters. As the result of the incident in which Robertson was tripped a penalty ought to have been awarded, but the referee who apparently thought Archibald would score, and allowed play to proceed. In another incident just later one of the home defenders handled in the area, but this, too, was overlooked by the official in charge of the game. In one of two instances there had been slight displays of temper, and the climax was reached just before the end, when Corcoran, the home inside-left, was ordered to the pavilion after he and Brewster had been at loggerheads. There was some good defensive work on both sides, but the forward play never reached a high level, and there was too much wild and indiscriminate kicking for either side to settle down to anything approaching a polished display of football. Aberdeen were best served by Anderson, Hannah, Hutton, Wright, Brewster, and McLaughlin, none of the forwards rising to the occasion. The outstanding players for Hamilton we're Mason, Little, McNamee, Thornley, and McLaughlin.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 22nd September 1919