Hamilton 0 - 2 Aberdeen

About 7000 spectators were present at the Academicals-Aberdeen game at Hamilton. There was no scoring. The Academicals were the more aggressive side, but could not beat a stubborn Aberdeen defence.

Source: The Scotsman, 18th October 1920

N.B. It must be assumed that the local reporter did not want to admit the scoreline, or left the match before the end.

At Hamilton Aberdeen accomplished a task that was generally anticipated would be beyond them when, by a 2-1 they inflicted upon the Academicals their first home defeat of the season. There were 6000 spectators, and these saw a game in which the play, if it did not touch a high standard, was fast and exciting throughout. Aberdeen well deserved their win, for having accustomed themselves to the peculiarities of a short and narrow pitch, they settled down, and there was more purpose in their efforts than those of the opposition, even if the teams were well matched so far as a demonstration of vigour was concerned. In a goalless first half the honours were evenly divided, both goals having narrow escapes. White, the Academicals? goalkeeper, saved well from Wright, and when he held a head effort by Rankine the Aberdeen forwards claimed that he had been over the goal line, but the referee decided otherwise. On other two occasions Connon just failed to count with his head, and the Aberdeen attack leader figured in an unusual incident. The home goalkeeper, evidently under the impression that offside had been given, actually threw the ball at Connon?s feet preparatory to taking the kick, and the Pittodrie centre-forward, realising what had happened, drove with great, force to narrowly miss the goal. These were incidents which testified to the thrust Aberdeen's attack. The Pittodrie goal, too, ran several narrow escapes, but the Academicals? forwards were responsible for more missing of actual opportunities than those of the visitors. Anderson had several good saves, and a number of balls flashed past wide of his charge, but at short range the home forwards were more inclined to dribble than shoot, with the result that, a Pittodrie defence which coveted up well baulked all their efforts.

Thomson and Rankine Count.

There was not quite so much of the big kicking and following-up tactics on the part pf Aberdeen in the second half, and fast wing-to-wing work quickly brought a merited reward. Only five minutes had gone when a movement initiated on the Aberdeen left, allowed Middleton to race off, and he parted with an accurate ground pass to Thomson, who scored a cleverly-taken goal from near the 18 yards line. The effect of the lead was quickly seen in Aberdeen's play, for they continued to give an excellent account of themselves. Finely led by Connon who slammed the ball out to the wings with great accuracy, and well supported by a defence which had found the measure of the opposition, they shaped like increasing their lead?and did. Only twelve minutes had gone, when, from the second successive flag-kick taken by Yule, headed past White, who touched, but was unable to hold the ball. Almost immediately Connon burst through, only hit the upright with a terrific shot which had White beaten. The Academicals made strenuous efforts to make up the leeway, but their attack found the Aberdeen defence its master, the northern half-backs and backs always showing to advantage. Both goals were well visited. White successfully dealt with crosses from the Aberdeen wingers, but on one occasion was fortunate to recover a ball against the upright after he had failed to gather. In the closing stages the Academicals made desperate efforts to get through, but from the time that they opened the scoring Aberdeen always held the issue in their keeping.

Players Who Did Well.

On the Aberdeen side Anderson and his hacks did exceedingly well, and in a hard-working half-back line Milne was always prominent with his hefty head-work, while Robertson was the best wing half on the field. The best of the forwards were Yule, Connon, and Middleton, and all over the team gave amuch-improved display. Over-eagerness lost the Academicals attack some good chances in the first half. Little was the outstanding player in the rear divisions, and Johnstone was the best of their half-backs. In the forward line most danger came from Hannah, especially in the first half, but Hanlon came away strongly in the second. They were not too well served in the inside positions, but their ineffectiveness was accounted for by the Aberdeen defence being at its best. Besides being the only visiting team to win at Hamilton this season, Aberdeen had the distinction of being the only strangers to score more than one goal at Douglas Park in the period.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 18th October 1920