Aberdeen 0 - 2 Dundee

COST OF LOST CHANCES.

The Aberdeen Football Club is finished with the Scottish Cup competition for another season. At Ibrox Park, Glasgow, yesterday, in the third attempt to decide their tie in the third stage, Dundee gained the verdict over the Pittodrie side by 2 goals to 0. Taking the game all over, it can be said that the victory went to the side that better deserved it, but it was far from being an inglorious defeat that Aberdeen suffered. Although both goals were scored in the second half, Aberdeen's chance of winning went past in the first period. In a cold and raw afternoon there were only about 10,000 present, and when the Aberdeen captain won the toss he elected to take advantage of a gale of wind in the opening half. In the period several chances of scoring fell to the Aberdeen forwards, but they failed in their mission, and even if Philip, the Dundee centre-forward, failed to accept a couple of excellent opportunities, these were nothing like the lost chances of Aberdeen.
Had Aberdeen possessed a forward who could shoot, and particularly a centre-forward with that ability, the issue might have been settled early in the game, but, as it was, chances were frittered away, and when the interval came with the score-sheet blank the tie was as good as lost. Aberdeen had to resume in the second half against a determined side, which had the advantage of a gale of wind and driving rain, and it seemed only a matter of time until the resolution the Dundee team, aided by the elements, would triumph.

The Turning Point.

For ten minutes it looked as if the Pittodrie players would be equal to the occasion, for in that period they pressed continuously, but while they were downright unfortunate on more than one occasion, the same close quarter weakness again asserted itself. With 12 minutes of the period gone, PHILIP gained possession, and manoeuvring cleverly for position, gave Anderson no chance with a well-taken goal. That was the turning point of the game. From that stage Dundee played with confidence, and Aberdeen, on the other hand, appeared to lose their resolution. Their attack, spasmodic for a time, ultimately faded out, and the burden of the game fell on the defence. On a ground that greatly helped the man in possession, Dundee adopted the tactics of tip-tapping the ball to each other and resorted to individual trickery. The policy was in striking contrast to the orthodox cup-tie methods of Aberdeen, who slammed the ball about, but, under the conditions, the tactics of the winners were the more profitable. After the first count there did not seem much likelihood of Aberdeen equalising, and, when fifteen minutes from the end Troup gained possession on the penalty line to score with a fine oblique shot, the goal only confirmed a result that was already assured by the preceding play.

A Belated Shuffle.

Aberdeen put every ounce of energy into their efforts to retrieve the situation in the closing stages, but it was all to no avail. It was in vain that the team was reshuffled. Hutton went from back to centre forward, and Macdonald moved to inside left, Rankine going right half and A. R. Grosert taking Hutton's place rear. The changes only served to further disorganise the side, although they battled bravely to the end theirs was a forlorn hope.

Cause of Aberdeen Defeat.

Never at any time did the play touch a high level. The pace was fast, very fast throughout, with the ground in a muddy state and the players tremendously eager there were many inaccuracies. The cause of the defeat could not be laid to the door of the Aberdeen defence, for they worked tremendously hard and they worked well and served up a real cup-tie game. That the tie was lost was entirely due to the lack of an attack leader who could utilise chances when they presented themselves.
Dundee deserve ail credit for their victory. They were indeed level at the interval but after obtaining the lead they never looked back. To none did the Tayside team owe their victory more than to Thomson, their international whose coolness and judgement was marked throughout. Aberdeen did not lose the tie through lack of trying. They lost it as they have lost many League points through the absence in their forward line of that clinching ability necessary to put the hallmark on good outfield work.

How Individuals Fared.

Anderson had chance with the goals, and had several clever saves. Hutton and Hannah were robust and safe backs, who did their work well, especially in the first half. Hutton kicked tremendously hard, and the pity was that his long returns were not always straight for goal. In his brief spell at centre forward got no chance. Hannah appeared to tire a bit near the end, when he saved a certain goal by getting in the way of a terrific free kick taken by Thomson. Of the half-backs Wright did best, and shone alike in defence and attack. He was responsible for one of the best tries of the game, when Gibbon tipped his shot over for a corner. A. R. Grosert acquitted himself well throughout, but Troup met with slightly more success against him on this occasion than in the two earlier meetings. MacLachlan played hard and well, but found McLean and Kilpatrick a bit too tricky for him in the second half. Etill the onus of defeat did not rest with the defence.

Close-Quarter Weakness.

In a forward line that lacked finishing ability Connon, and Middleton were seen to most advantage. The first-named was a tremendous bustler and worker, and let his partner away cleverly on many occasions. He was very unfortunate with a shot that just missed the mark in the first half.
Flanaghan and Middleton both had tries that were worthy Gibbons on one occasion being lucky to recover after he dropped a ball from Middleton in the first half. Rankine did many clever things, and while his luck was out to have a terrific shot blocked, he might have shot, oftener. Macdonald worked to the best of his ability, but that was far short of the requirements of the situation, and on those responsible must fall the onus for their failure to strengthen a position which has given great concern throughout the season. It would not have required an Andrew Wilson to win the match for Aberdeen in the first half, and the result is the very moderate harvest that has been reaped through lack of enterprise in this matter.

About the Winners.

On the Dundee side, Gibbons, while not convincing on one or two occasions, pulled through, but the slippery ball caused him serious trouble. Thomson was brilliant at back, and played his best game against Aberdeen. Raitt frequently miskicked, but there was always a colleague to recover. The half-back line had a much easier task than the Aberdeen trio. Jackson being outstanding, but Hutchison played a serviceable game at centre-half.
The best of the Dundee forwards was McLean whose individual touches in the second half did much to maintain his team's advantage. Kilpatrick was tricky and effective on the right wing, and on the left there were occasional flashes which revealed the neat ability of Troup. A few are of opinion that was offside when he gained possession prior to securing the second goal, but to the writer did not appear so. Philips' experience told in the centre. He figured in a remarkable incident in the first half when, in the act of falling, he just missed the Aberdeen goal with a ball which he headed almost on the ground. Cowan was only a partial success at inside left. Dundee all over were slightly better balanced, and their forward superiority gained the day .

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 2nd March 1921