St. Mirren 2 - 1 Aberdeen

The game between St Mirren and Aberdeen at Paisley was as keen as a Cup tie might have been, and right till the last kick of the match the result was in doubt. The game was noteworthy from the fact that the play served up was above the usual standard, the combination displayed by both sets of forwards being really first class. Walker opened the scoring for St Mirren, but before the interval Thomson levelled the score. In the second half Paisley's goal-scoring centre had his team's other goal, and a capital one it was. Aberdeen failed to finish their good outfield work; St Mirren did, and thus they won, but a draw would have been a fitting result all the same.

Source: The Scotsman, 6th March 1922

A 2-1 defeat, sustained by Aberdeen at the hands of St Mirren at Paisley on Saturday threatens to seriously affect the Pittodrie club's chances of continuing the First Division of the league - that is, if the present intention that the three bottom clubs all drop out be adhered to. Saturday's game at Paisley attracted 12,000 people, and the play was always of a strenuous and interesting character. On the actual run of the game, and especially considering their first half superiority, Aberdeen should not have surrendered both points, and while they did so was largely due to weak finishing, the main cause of their defeat was the opportunism of Walker, the St Mirren centre-forward, who scored two wonderful goals for the winners and brought his own total in league games for the season up to 40.
Aberdeen had the assistance of a slight breeze in the first half, and under the circumstances it was not surprising that heavy pressure was brought to bear on the Paisley defence. Walker hit the Aberdeen crossbar early in the game, but this escape was counterbalanced when on two successive occasions Rankine narrowly missed with headers, and once Summers cleared from below the bar with Bradford beaten. For a period of 20 minutes Aberdeen accounted for most of the attacking. Rankine shot wide with only the keeper in front, and Miller, Thomson and Milne all had creditable attempts which just failed to count. Walker twice came near to giving St. Mirren the lead. He hit the crossbar with a terrific shot, and on another occasion, Blackwell did well to save a lightning shot by the champion scorer. His persistence was rewarded at the end of 25 minutes, when Thomson slung over a centre which Walker headed past Blackwell. Until the interval Aberdeen continued to play well in midfield, but their finishing left much to be desired. A minute from half-time Bainbridge centred, and Miller headed to Thomson for that player to equalise with a fast ground shot.

A Brilliant Goal.

Th earlier stages of the second half greatly favoured Aberdeen, and had they revealed better powers of penetration they might have gone on to put the issue beyond doubt at this time. Bradford was repeatedly in action, yet got few really decisive shots to deal with. In their spasmodic raids the St Mirren forwards, and especially Walker, were always dangerous, and Blackwell was called upon to exert himself the full. On two occasions headers by Walker struck the Aberdeen woodwork, and twice Blackwell just beat the home centre-forward in a desperate race for ball. Midway through the half Walker got the ball in front of goal just inside the penalty area, and gave St Mirren the lead with a spectacular drive which gave Blackwell no chance. Afterwards St Mirren played with greater confidence, and the Aberdeen defence was pressed to prevent them increasing their advantage. In the closing stages Aberdeen rallied, but they encountered a defence which played with confidence, and just failed to draw level. Aberdeen best served by Blackwell, Milne, MacLachlan, Thomson, and Miller, and St Mirren by Till, Pringle, Summers, Walker, and Thomson.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 6th March 1922