Aberdeen 5 - 0 Kilmarnock

Aberdeen's victory over Kilmarnock at Aberdeen was largely due to the bustling play of the home forwards in the first half, in which three of their goals were score, by Rankine (2) and Connon. MacLachlan and Connon added the others. Kilmarnock seemed non-plussed at the Pittodrie team's runaway scoring of three goals in the first eleven minutes of the match. McCulloch and Jackson especially worked hard to break down Aberdeen's strong defence, but Forsyth and MacLachlan were very active in preventing that, and Blackwell in goal was safe. Kilmarnock's best defenders were Gibson and Goldie, the latter frequently heading clear dangerous crosses from the wingers. Grant, Rankine, and Connon were the pick of Aberdeen's forward line, which combined well, and the wingers, Middleton and Smith, also showed to advantage, and helped towards the decisive victory.

Source: The Scotsman, 20th November 1922

Aberdeen had a very easy passage at Pittodrie, where they recorded their most substantial victory for many moons, defeating Kilmarnock by 5 goals 0. The superiority of the winners may not have been so pronounced as the big margin in their favour would suggest, but they were never really stretched, and gave the impression that had they been pressed they might have applied the screw which would have resulted in the visitors being further in arrears. Except that the atmosphere was chilly, the conditions were favourable to good football, and in the course of the game some pretty combined and individual movements were served up, especially by the home team. There were about 10,000 spectator.

Disaster early overtook the visitors, as on the first forward movement of the game Herron, the Kilmarnock goalkeeper, failed to clear a centre by Middleton, and Rankine, lying handy, had only to tap the ball into the net. Before the Kilmarnock players had time to recover from their surprise Aberdeen were another goal up. Connon got possession slightly out to the left and, manoeuvring quickly for position, shot a brilliant goal with a rising oblique left-foot shot from about 15 yards' range. At this stage Kilmarnock were disorganised, and although Hood and Gibson defended stubbornly, it was not surprising when, after nine minutes, Rankine headed a third goal for Aberdeen off an accurate centre by Middleton. At the other end Jackson headed wide after clever play by McPhail. Most of the danger threatened from the Aberdeen attack, however, and Herron had to field awkward balls sent in by Middleton and Grant, one by the latter being worthy of a goal. Milne, too, came near to scoring after clever individual work, his shot landing on the top of the net. Rankine, the home inside left, executed many brilliant movements. On one occasion he beat four opponents to shoot over, and one of the best tries of the period came from Grant, who shaped well at inside right. He slammed in a terrific shot with his left foot, but Herron happened to be in line, and cleared well. It was only occasionally that the Kilmarnock forwards developed danger, and even when they did get near Blackwell, their efforts were easily repulsed, and Aberdeen held a well-deserved interval lead of 3-0.

,b>Second Half Keenness.

The half was only three minutes old when Aberdeen increased their lead. MacLachlan, from about 30 yards' range, let go a hard drive, which Herron got down to meet, but to the surprise of all, although getting his hands upon it, he failed to prevent the ball from reaching the net. After this Kilmarnock played up in a spirited fashion, and were seen to better advantage than they had been earlier. There were several exciting passages in front of the Aberdeen goal, and had the Rugby Park forwards shown a greater aptitude for shooting they might have made up part the leeway. As it was, they allowed the defence time to recover. Rankine and Smith frequently carried the danger to the visitors' goal, and once Goldie was fortunate to intercept a headed effort by Rankine. McCulloch and Jackson the were the most lively of the Kilmarnock forwards, and one of the best shots of the game came from Jackson. Blackwell bringing off a brilliant save. Later Aberdeen were fortunate when, after hesitation by the defence Blackwell at full length was able to push away a ground ball from Smith, and Grosert completed a timely clearance. In the last five minutes of the game Kilmarnock lost Smith, who retired owing to injusry, but his absence made no difference to the result. With only two minutes left for play, Connon, from a position half-left, shot the best goal of the match, to complete a nap hand for Aberdeen.
The outstanding players on the Aberdeen side were Forsyth, MacLachlan, Rankine, Connon, and Grant. Kilmarnock were best served by Hood, Gibson, Goldie, Jackson, and McCulloch.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 20th November 1922