Aberdeen 2 - 0 Motherwell

Bainbridge's skill in placing a couple of corner kicks secured for Aberdeen their victory over Motherwell at Aberdeen, first Thomson and then Rankine heading the ball into the net, to the delight of about 15,000 spectators. But for Rundell's magnificent goalkeeping the score against the visitors would have been much greater, for both with the boisterous north-westerly wind in their favour in the first half and also in the second period, Aberdeen harassed the Motherwell defence. Hamilton and Macdougall had to put in much strenuous work. When the Motherwell forwards did occasionally break away, the goal-scoring Ferguson found himself so well watched by Victor Milne that for once his side had to go goalless. Rankine, who took the place of Miller as Aberdeen's centre forward, Miller not having recovered from the injury received in the encounter with St Mirren, was frequently too eager, and spoiled several good chances by shooting over the bar. Milne was the home team's most prominent half-back, as Brown, in the centre, was the best of Motherwell's half-back line, and Rankine and Tennant their outstanding forwards. On play, Aberdeen fully deserved their victory.

Source: The Scotsman, 19th December 1921

In a most interesting struggle at Pittodrie, Aberdeen did well to beat Motherwell by 2 goals to 0. Consequent upon the absence of Miller through injury, and a change on the extreme left, the Aberdeen forward line was rearranged, Rankine filling the position, with Robertson and Bainbridge associated on the left. Motherwell were unchanged from the team that decisively beat Clydebank a week previously.
The new home formation worked satisfactorily, and although weakness at goalmouth was often apparent, their outfield work was clever, and wing play was developed probably to a greater extent than in any of the team's preceding games this season. Aberdeen had the assistance of a strong breeze in the first half, but although they pressed for a greater part of the period, they were weak at close quarters, and in addition to badly aimed efforts at shooting, several likely chances were allowed to slip without being accepted. If not so often attacking, Motherwell had several dangerous raids in the period, and a shot by Ferguson, and two fine drives by Tennant were cleverly saved by Anderson. In the other goal, Rundell was always busy, and several times his goal experienced narrow escapes, yet in the work of the Aberdeen forwards there was an absence of really good shooting. On one occasion Rankine got behind the backs with the ball at his foot, and when Rundell left his charge to meet him, the Aberdeen forward drove wildly past an empty goal.

Doubtful Goal.?p> The opening of the score was delayed until a minute from the interval, and there was some doubt about the legality of the goal. Bainbridge took a corner kick, and the ball curled underneath the bar, to be assisted into the back of the net by Thomson. The Motherwell players protested that the ball had crossed the goal-line direct from the corner kick before it was played by Thomson, and that no goal should be counted. After consulting his linesmen, the referee decided in favour of Aberdeen, and awarded a goal.

Better Ball Control.

In the second half Aberdeen controlled the ball much better than when the wind had been in their favour earlier, but they were fortunate in that it had fallen in velocity. Motherwell frequently attacked, and on one occasion Tennant missed a fine chance of equalising, but as time wore on the Aberdeen attack took a firmer grip of the game. The left wing especially was lively, and with the visitors' defence often in difficulties, Rundell's charge was repeatedly in danger. Midway through the period Bainbridge forced a corner, and placing the ball to perfection, enabled Rankine to head through a second goal for Aberdeen. Subsequently, Aberdeen had the issue in their keeping, and a little more steadiness in front of goal would have seen them increase their advantage.
On the Aberdeen side, Bainbridge, Thomson, and Middleton were outstanding in attack, and Milne and MacLachlan were clever in a strong middle division. At back A. R. Grosert and Forsyth were always sound, and Anderson safe in goal. Motherwell played clever football, but could never get the upper hand of the home defence. Rankine and Tennant were the most effective forwards. Brown was outstanding at centre-half - indeed, in the first half at any rate, he prevented his side from being further in arrears. The backs were shaky at times, but Rundell displayed skill and judgement in goal. The estimated attendance was 12,000.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 19th December 1921