Aberdeen 3 - 0 Third Lanark

Aberdeen's goal-getting centre forward, Miller, with another "hat-trick" - the total scoring in the match, and the player's sixteenth goal of the season - was the means of giving his side victory over the Third Lanark in the fixture at Pittodrie Park, before about 14,000 spectators. Great as is the reputation of the internationalist goalkeeper, Brownlie, he found himself unequal to the swift drives of one who proved himself an opportunist, and who took full advantage of the passes of Thomson and Rankine, but the internationalist saved a good many likely shots from the right and left wingers, Middleton and Bainbridge, and also from Miller. Hemmed in at first by the Aberdeen's vigorous play, the Third Lanark seldom got a chance, and misfortune seemed to dog them when Frank Walker, their inside left, after limping for a time, was forced to retire in the second half, while McKenna required attention on the touch-line, and for a period they had to carry on with only nine men.

The Scotsman, 31st October 1921

Aberdeen gave a sparkling display at Pittodrie, where they gained their first victory over Third Lanark for seven years, completely outplaying the visitors, and registering a 3-0 victory. For the home team, Miller was in grand shooting form and recorded the "hat-trick" for the second successive time at home. An injury to F. Walker early in the game handicapped Third Lanark, who were without his assistance in the closing stages, but even if he had escaped injury, it would not have been sufficient to turn the tide. Aberdeen gave a most convincing display, their half-backs and inside forwards dominating the play to such an extent that the visitors' attack was scarcely seen in the game.
The assistance of a strong wind gave Aberdeen a big advantage in the first half, and after the manner in which they had overwhelmed the opposition, they should have been leading by more than Miller's goal at the interval. In the period the visitors seldom attacked, Aberdeen, on the other hand, by delightfully fast and accurate movement, giving Brownlie and his backs no rest. Miller's goal, taken ten minutes after the start, was the sequel to a well-judged pass from Thomson, the centre forward putting ball to the corner farthest away from Brownlie. Many shots were sent in by the Aberdeen attack, but while they did not lack power, they were often out of direction. Miller had one terrific drive from forty yards which struck the crossbar and went behind.

Miller on the Target.

In the second half, when the wind had fallen somewhat, Aberdeen were not slow to again assume the superiority, and when Miller took up a pass from Rankine to go through and score with a shot that sent the ball well out of Brownlie's reach, the issue was as good as sealed. There were bursts by the Third Lanark forwards, Anderson saving from J. Walker and Hillhouse, but play was seldom far away from Brownlie. On one occasion Hillhouse found the net from an offside position, the goal being disallowed, but this was practically the only instance throughout the game that the home goal was really in jeopardy, although Allan once skied badly when well placed. Miller continued to shoot strongly for Aberdeen, and ten minutes from the close he found the net for the third time. He delivered a hard shot, which Brownlie fell in stopping, and the centre-forward following up, regained possession, to practically walk ball into the net. Near the finish he came near to scoring again, Brownlie, out of his goal, pulling back a ball that had almost eluded his grasp. Miller's goal scoring feat aroused tremendous enthusiasm, and at the close of the game the player was accorded an ovation.

Critical.

There were no weaklings on the home side. Anderson was seldom troubled, and Hutton and A. R. Grosert always sound at back. The half-backs, and particularly Milne, were brilliant, and forward the work of the inside trio was the best they have served up this season. Miller, in addition to powerful shooting, led the line with much skill. Thomson excelled at drawing the defence and creating openings, and the work of Middleton and Bainbridge on the wings fitted in with the efforts of their colleagues, so that all over the side was well balanced. Although at fault with Miller's third goal, Brownlie did well for Third Lanark, but Slavin and Orr at back composed the strongest department of the team. The half-backs, of whom J Walker was best, never got a grip of the home attack, and in a forward line that was disorganised only A.Reid occasionally caught the eye. The estimated attendance was 12,000.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 31st October 1921