Aberdeen 2 - 0 Aberdeen University

DONS WIN BUT DO NOT IMPRESS.

Sudents' Brave defence.

ADAM NETS ONE GOAL.

Though Aberdeen - including only Adam and O'Reilly of the selection against Queen's Park - were worthy winners over Aberdeen University in the first round of the Aberdeenshire F.A. Cup at Pittodrie yesterday, the students took a great deal of credit from the game. A goal by "Bob" McDermid in the first minute, far from upsetting 'Varsity, served to inspire them to greater effort. Up to five minutes from the finish this first minute goal was all that separated the teams. Then Adem, following a characteristic manoeuvre, crashed the ball into the net. 'Varsity put up a wonderfully plucky display, and it was a pity, from their point of view, that their forwards failed to put the finishing touch to some really clever movements. H. W. Gordon, the centre, was probably the best forward afield from the point of view of dash and enterprise, but usually he played a lone hand.

Feckless Forwards

The Aberdeen forwards, of course, must have had a bit in reserve - it was earnestly to be hoped so - for their shooting was feckless and generally far below standard. Adam and Johnston were the only forwards with real punch, and at half-back Donald was always on the move. The Dons' defence was never really stretched, but there were not a few occasions on which backs were caught napping. The 'Varsity defence played a noble part, with G. J.G. Milton at left back the hero of his side. A. Bowyer and J. M. Couper were strong at half-back, and forward Gordon received most support from G. Stewart and R. D. Dallas on the right, though in the second half the 'Varsity formation was re-arranged after Bowyer had received a knock which seemed to shake him badly, A. F. Murray going to outside right. The game was witnessed by only few hundred spectators. Aberdeen scored in less than a minute from the start, McDermid placing the ball neatly beyond Glennie's reach. 'Varsity essayed a swinging attack, but were quickly sent to the right about. Godfrey then sent in a beauty from thirty yards which went "screaming" over by a fraction of an inch. 'Varsity were plucky, and Gordon dashed through, but Jackson pulled him up. The students were full of fight and kept the Dons on the defensive for a period, but a telling shot was lacking. Stewart had the likeliest try, but his shot struck the side of the net. Glen Campbell missed a fine chance when the ball came to him a few yards from goal. Instead of shooting on sight, he passed weakly to Gordon, who was crowded out. 'Varsity made ground in clever fashion, but again the forwards showed lack of enterprise in front of goal. Adam seemed set for a goal a minute later, but shot over. Gordon was applauded when he tricked Jackson and Thomson and had a likely pop. 'Varsity's right wing figured in a lovely move. G. Stewart centred accurately and Dallas drove in a beauty which was sailing through when Donald headed out. The students were lucky the next minute when the cross-bar stopped a brilliant drive by Thomson. Just after, Mutch missed by inches. Aberdeen pressed consistently before the interval, but failed again to pierce a resolute 'Varsity defence.

A Near Thing

Aberdeen pressed from the re-start, and D. L. Stewart, in attempting to clear, almost beat his own keeper, who clutched smartly. The shooting of the Aberdeen forwards was extremely poor, and both Armstrong and McDermid finished badly when well placed. The 'Varsity left wing broke away in determined fashion but Glen Campbell shot well past. A foul against Jackson saw the Dons' goal threatened, but the students lacked an opportunist. 'Varsity were game, and Gordon, following up a pass from Glen Campbell, looked like doing something but was shouldered off when about to shoot. 'Varsity were not only keeping out the Dons, but were finding time to visit Cumming. A pretty move by Murray, who had gone to outside right, looked promising, but the winger put behind. The Dons kept banging away, but their shots lacked snap - and direction. Gordon was a trier for 'Varsity, and he beat three men cleverly, but his shot was killed. Jackson decided to try his luck at goal, but Glennie safely held his shot. 'Varsity were nothing if not plucky, and in a hot attack Gordon was tripped up when going through a yard or so outside the penalty box. From the free kick Glen Campbell headed narrowly past. Five minutes from the end Adam scored a second for Aberdeen.

Source: Press & Journal, 15th December 1932