Heart of Midlothian 0 - 0 Aberdeen

Aberdeen owe their goalless draw against the Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle almost entirely to their defence, for the forwards, after a sprightly ten minutes at the start of the game, were so effectively held by the Tynecastle middle line that for the remainder of the game W. White was in a difficult position on only two occasions. But if the Hearts' defence was sound, the same criticism applies even more to that of Aberdeen. They had to face a forward line that was far ahead of their own, but they face their task with ability and confidence, and few openings fell to the Hearts. From one such - and it was not an easy one - John White found the cross-bar aiding Blackwell, and, in the second half, Chapman failed badly on two occasions, when he seemed to have the goal at his mercy. Chapman was the weak link in the Tynecastle forward line, and this, more than anything else perhaps, enabled the visitors to keep their own goal intact in a game throughout which the Hearts were almost always the better side. The attendance would be round about 12,000.

Source: The Scotsman, 2nd April 1923

Aberdeen and Hearts had a bloodless battle at Tynecastle, Edinburgh, where 12,000 spectators generally agreed that the result was what the game was worth. Both sides accounted for an equal amount of attacking, but they were woefully weak in front goal. This was especially the case with the Aberdeen attack, who were seldom dangerous. The Hearts forwards on the other hand were most inconsistent. Repeatedly Blackwell was tested to the full, but there were times when they were woefully weak at close range, and like the Aberdeen van, they lost what looked easy chances.
Blackwell, the Aberdeen goalkeeper, came out of the game with great credit, and it was largely due to his work that Aberdeen saved a Point. Hutton and Forsyth, too, played well, and the three half backs were in splendid form, but of the forwards Rankin alone played up to the scratch. On the Hearts' side, White was not tested a great deal. Crossman and J. Wilson were sound and Wright was the pick of the middle division. In the attack, J. White, W. Wilson, and Murphy were best.

RUN OF THE PLAY.

Connon led an early raid for Aberdeen, but Hearts were first dangerous, John White heading into Blackwell's hands off a centre by Murphy. Following this, Murphy had a good chance to give Hearts the lead, but shot weakly past from close range. Aberdeen got moving, and W. White had to save in quick succession from Grant and Smith, and following a flag kick at Blackwell's end, Milne tested the home goalkeeper. the Hearts' goal had a narrow escape. From a free kick against Wright for hands, Rankin sent in a fast grounder, and White at full length was just able to deflect the ball round the post. Each goal after this was visited in turn. Hearts forced two successive corners, and following the second of these, Forsyth headed out a shot from W. Wilson which might have counted. White had to fist way from Robertson, and later dropped a ball from Connon, but recovered possession just in time. Aberdeen adopted long passing for a time, and the Hearts' defence was frequently in difficulties. Milne headed wide at White's end, and at the other Chapman was high with a similar effort. Blackwell for a time was very much in the limelight. He fielded a cross from Murphy, and was just able to deflect over the bar a surprise shot by John White. From over thirty yards' range the Hearts' leader swept in a lightning shot which Blackwell tipped against the crossbar. The ball rebounded front of him, but he regained possession and cleared in great style. A swift cross by Murphy was missed by players of both sides, and subsequently the Hearts' attack had a number of shots blocked near the Aberdeen goal-line. After a time the Aberdeen forwards again got going, but they were unequal at close range to sustain their clever work in midfield. White had to field a curling ball from Middleton and later fisted away from the Aberdeen right-winger with Connon rushing in. The ball went to Rankin, and Aberdeen might have taken the lead had not the referee stopped play for the Goalkeeper being hampered. Close on the interval W. White had to pull down a drooping ball from Middleton.

WEAK FINISHING

Play fell away considerably in the second half. Hearts early got a chance. Stringfellow, with only Blackwell to beat, missed the ball, and it went to Chapman, who failed to gather, and Forsyth rushed in and cleared. Aberdeen kept up the attack after this, and Grant had a hard drive rather luckily blocked by J. Wilson. Middleton was given an opportunity from a back-heeled pass by Grant, but shot weakly, and later Connon failed to meet a centre from Smith, who had carried the ball along from his own penalty area. Blackwell had to stop a hard drive from W. Wilson, and for a time the Aberdeen backs were kept busy. Rankin made many creditable efforts to get the Aberdeen attack going, but the first-half weakness in front of goal again asserted itself. W. Wilson had several tries for the Hearts, Blackwell twice saving very cleverly. In the closing stages both teams strove desperately for the lead. Blackwell had to run out to kick clear from J. White, and twice fielded centres by the Hearts wingers. Just on the final whistle, Aberdeen came near to taking the lead, Middleton sending a strong shot which W. White just managed to deflect wide of his charge, and the game ended before the flag-kick could be taken.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 2nd April 1923