Partick Thistle 1 - 4 Aberdeen

Aberdeen served up a grand display at Firhill Park, Glasgow, and thoroughly merited their big victory over Partick Thistle. They were too strong and fast for the home lot, and their strong shooting gave them a big advantage. There was not much between the sides in the first half, both defences playing well, and keeping the opposing forwards well in hand. Smith was very dangerous on the Aberdeen left, and it was from one of his crosses that Alex. Jackson opened the scoring. At the start of the second half it looked as if the Thistle were going to pull the game out of the fire, but after Kinloch had scored they fell away. The Aberdeen forwards then struck their best form, and W. Jackson put them on the lead. Soon after Alex. Jackson scored a third goal, and W. Jackson got the fourth after grand work by Smith. On the Aberdeen side, J. Jackson, Pirie, Walter, Alex. Jackson, and Paton were best, and in a poor Firhill side only McMullan and Lambie showed their usual form. The attendance would be 12,000.

Source: The Scotsman, 29th September 1924

The Aberdeen players revealed something like their best form at Firhill on Saturday when they soundly beat Partick Thistle by 4 goals to 1, and registered Aberdeen's most substantial away victory for many years. The triumph was richly deserved and was enhanced by the fact that Hutton was an absentee from the defence owing to influenza, and that they were handicapped by injury to Smith in the second period which necessitated his retirement before the finish.
The players gave a fine display of team work, and the combination was ahead of anything previously accomplished this season. The brothers Jackson each scored two goals, but it was the collective rather than the individual efforts that accounted most for the success attained.
The changes made in the team made for distinct improvement. Not only was the side well-balanced and the forwards worked finely together, but there was excellent understanding in defence, the half-backs gave considerable support to the forwards. Blackwell was very safe in goal, and J. Jackson and Forsyth were both brilliant at back. There was a big improvement in the middle line where MacLachlan was outstanding. Pirie took the eye with judicious placing and strong tackling, and proved an admirable pivot, and Edward again justified his inclusion. The forwards worked finely together. They moved at a great pace, and each played at the top of his form. Theirs was the most effective display of forward play by an Aberdeen team for many a day. There was danger and thrust in all they did. Thistle suffered by comparison. Ramsay saved well in goal, but was not too well supported by his backs. McMullan was the best of a half-back division that could not cope with the speedy Aberdeen forwards, and in attack, Grove and Salisbury were the most dangerous, but all over, the losers were inferior to the winners. There were 12,000 spectators.

FAST, KEEN PLAY.

Walter Jackson had the first shot of the game, when he sent the ball just wide of Ramsay's charge, and shortly afterwards the Thistle goal had a narrow escape. Miller, who had temporarily changed places with Smith, swung over a ball which drew Ramsay out of his goal, and before the goalkeeper could get back Paton shot into the goal, but Crichton dashed in and kicked clear. Following a raid by the Thistle right, Lambie shot over from a free kick. Aberdeen quickly got back to the attack, and Smith dispossessed the home right back to square the ball in front of goal. Paton, a yard from goal, headed in, but Ramsay shot out his fist and saved. A swift ground ball from Walter Jackson took Ramsay to his knees, and at this stage play greatly favoured Aberdeen. A slight injury to Miller momentarily upset the attack, and a spell of pressure by Thistle followed. J. Jackson twice earned plaudits for spectacular tackles and clearances from the Thistle left wing. When Miller resumed Aberdeen again took up the running, and Paton nullified a clever combined movement by shooting weakly into Ramsay's hands. Hair had a dash between the Aberdeen backs, but was brought down by Forsyth just outside the penalty area, and from the free kick McMullan shot wide. Ramsay had to save a long-range try by Edward, and another raid by Salisbury was nullified by MacLachlan. Both sides forced flag kicks with negative results, and after a breakaway by Ness, Blackwell threw himself full length to save.

THE FIRST GOAL.

After 35 minutes Aberdeen opened the scoring. Smith let Miller away on the wing, and the latter finished with a terrific shot, which Ramsay was only able to deflect to A. Jackson. The peeper followed up to tackle, but the Aberdeen winger forced the ball past him across the goal, and it struck the far upright to rebound into the net. In a retaliation raid, Grove just missed the Aberdeen goal. Smith, on the Aberdeen left got away and finished with a tremendous shot, which Ramsay saved at full length. Aberdeen kept up the attack, and nearly increased their lead. Smith raced past Paton and centred, and W. Jackson, on the run, took the ball in his stride and lifted it into goal, but Ramsay brought off a brilliant save. Shortly afterwards Ramsay had again to clear, Paton being the marksman , and Aberdeen well merited their solitary goal lead at the interval.

ABERDEEN IN SCORING MOOD.

The pace was maintained throughout a thrilling second half. Fine defensive play by Forsyth stemmed the Thistle's early rush, and Walter Jackson was almost through at the other end when Crichton got in the way of his shot. Off a free kick on the touchline, McMullan sent the ball on to the top of the Aberdeen net, and at the other end Ramsay ran out and kicked clear after W. Jackson had left the Thistle backs behind. J. Jackson conceded a flag kick when Hair got through, but the Aberdeen defence prevailed. Two corner kicks for Aberdeen availed nothing, and then, after fifteen minutes. Thistle equalised. Ness and Kinloch forced the pace and after Forsyth had twice headed out from Ness, Kinloch netted from close range. Following this, Aberdeen came away in great style. Walter Jackson just failed to get his foot properly behind the ball off his brother's pass but he quickly atoned. Alec Jackson took the ball from McMullan and centred accurately for Walter to head into the net. Shortly afterwards, Smith centred, and while the Thistle defenders hesitated A. Jackson headed the ball into the net. After this, Aberdeen played in great style, and Smith cut in from the touchline to push the ball to W. Jackson's feet, and the centre-forward steadied himself and shot hard into the net. Play continued to favour Aberdeen until Smith was injured in a tackle, and although remaining on the field, he was of no further use to his side, and limping badly, left the field eight minutes from the close. Thistle made desperate onslaughts on the Aberdeen defence, but although at least two chances of scoring came their way, their shooting was badly directed, and a number of efforts were charged down. In the end Aberdeen were worthy winners.

Source: Press & Journal, 29th September 1924