Ayr United 2 - 2 Aberdeen

The League game at Ayr between Ayr United and Aberdeen was spoiled to a great extent by the fact that Forsyth, Aberdeen left back, was injured and had to retire before half-time. It was distinctly hard lines on Aberdeen, but his retiral meant that the one back game was resorted to, and this was the rock upon which many Ayr attacks broke. In the first half-hour of the game the United stood two goals to the good, scored by Richardson and McKenzie. Connon, the Aberdeen centre, by clever individual effort reduced the leeway, and ten minutes after the restart Rankine equalised. Aberdeen deserved the draw.

Source: The Scotsman, 4th January 1921

Considering the fact they were without Forsyth who retired hurt after 30 minutes' play, Aberdeen did exceedingly well to divide the Scottish League points with Ayr United at Somerset Park yesterday, each team scoring twice. Aberdeen had Wright at right-half for A. R. Grosert, this being the only change from the team which drew with Dundee at Pittodrie on Saturday, and Ayr Limited fielded the same team that defeated Dumbarton two days earlier. There were 6000 spectators, and the conditions, especially in the second half when rain fell, were atrocious.
Ayr lost the toss, and Aberdeen were early placed on the defensive. Gibson from 20 yards out rattled the crossbar with a great drive, the ball being finally cleared by Hutton. Aberdeen came into the picture when Middleton got away on the right, and centred accurately for Nisbet to fist over the bar. Aberdeen returned to the attack, and a cross by Flanaghan was headed into Nisbet?s hands by Connon. At the end of 15 minutes play Ayr, who attacked vigorously scored, Richardson being the marksman from long range. The shot was unexpected, and Anderson fumbled it.
For the most part Aberdeen were confined to their own quarters until Middleton livened things up a bit by again getting on, but Connon was played offside by Smith. Another cross from Middleton saw Connon have hard lines with a header which Smith intercepted. Nisbet cleared luckily with Flanaghan in attendance. Middleton continued to give a good display against his old clubmates.

Connon's Fine Goal.

After Connon had missed at close quarters, he made amends by a delightful goal. Getting a neat pass from Flanaghan, he slipped the backs neatly, and finished by easily deceiving Nisbet. Following a collision between Crosbie and Forsyth, the latter was assisted to the pavilion injured. Nothing daunted, Flanaghan delighted with a neat solo run, which Gibson eventually cleaned. Aberdeen's attacks were only spasmodic, however, for Ayr were soon again in evidence. McKenzie heading through a second goal for them following free kick. Hutton promptly drew up Stevenson when he was making tracks for goal, and then Anderson was glad to come well out to kick clear from Crosbie, who had dashed in with the goal at his mercy. The interval arrived with the United leading 2 goals to 1.

Forsyth Absent.

Forsyth did not reappear for Aberdeen on the resumption, and Hutton prepared to make best of a bad job. Naturally, offside was a deterrent factor so far as Ayr was concerned, although Stevenson made one great effort to lower Anderson's colours. Connon and Rankine came well into the picture in subsequent play, and one fine movement was spoiled by Flanaghan trying too much. There was no mistaking the visitors' eagerness, however, and yet Smith and Gillespie kept a good grip on the game, and gained confidence. With the Aberdeen defence a tangle, Crosbie failed to make good from a cross by Stevenson. The weather was now miserable, rain falling heavily. Aberdeen attacked strongly at the other end, and after Middleton had forced a corner, Rankine headed through from the resultant kick. Keeping up the pressure, Middleton drove narrowly over the bar. Well backed up by Milne, who never lost an opportunity of placing well and forcing the attack, the Aberdeen forwards struck a capital game for several minutes, and Rankine had hard lines with a great drive, Nisbet throwing himself full length to save. The rain became so heavy that the spectators shifted their stand to the Ayr goal, which was continually under pressure at this time. Both goals ran narrow escapes afterwards, Anderson in particular being lucky to escape disaster in a mix-up which took place in his goalmouth. Ayr forced the pace, but and the half-backs (particularly Milne) responded gamely under pressure. A capital run by the Aberdeen left developed nicely, Flanaghan narrowly missing, the game ending without further scoring.

Summing Up.

Considering the weather conditions in the second half, both teams put up a good display. Aberdeen were unfortunate to lose the services of Forsyth when on the top of his form, but they played pluckily under the handicap, and their forwards were neater and keener than the Ayr lot. Connon led out well, and his goal was a real triumph for him. The left wing was decidedly the best, with Rankine a treat. Milne was easily the best half on the field, and Richardson had very few chances to elude him, although he was clean through near the close, and was brought down, but the referee refused a penalty, because Richardson managed when falling to shoot for goal. Others who did well were Middleton and Hutton.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 4th January 1921