Source: The Scotsman, 17th November 1924
TWO SURPRISE GOALS.
St Mirren took the lead in the first minute. Evans, on the right, carried the ball along and crossed it to the left, from where Thomson returned it in front goal, and Whitelaw, standing close in, headed past Blackwell. It appeared that the scorer was distinctly offside when the ball was last played by Thomson. Play subsequently favoured Aberdeen. Smith centred behind, and bouts of close passing by the home right wing were repulsed by Hay with the assistance of Findlay. Evans forced a flag-kick at the home end. But Aberdeen again took up the running, and, after Bradford had fisted away from Paton, Pirie shot over. More Aberdeen pressure followed, and, after Paton had forced a corner, W. Jackson shot wide when well placed. Bradford knocked down another drive from Pirie, and near the bottom of the upright the Paisley keeper got hold of a header from Walter Jackson. Forcing work by Bruce resulted in a ball being swept across the St Mirren goal and passing behind, there being no Aberdeen forward handy to apply the finishing touch. Play ruled for the most part near the visitors' goal. Off a flag-kick by Paton, Bradford fisted over the bar, and from the second corner Pirie headed high. All against the run of the play, St Mirren got another goal after 20 minutes' play. In clearing, James Jackson miskicked the ball to Evans. That player made ground and then centred. Hutton caught the cross, but failed to clear, and McCrae dispossessed him to run on and shoot a good goal. Aberdeen took up the attack, but met with no reward. Bradford saved cleverly from Bruce, and, following more pressure, cleared at close range from Smith and Paton.A MISSED PENALTY.
When going through, Walter Jackson was fouled in the penalty area, and the referee awarded a spot-kick. A. Jackson was entrusted with the task, but shot the ball hard against Bradford, and, although the forward regained possession, the whistle sounded relief for a foul by an Aberdeen attacker. Yet another flag-kick was forced by Aberdeen, but it availed them nothing, Bradford saving from W. Jackson's head. From a free-kick against Edward, Wood shot wide for St Mirren, and this stage Blackwell got his first bye-kick in the game. At the other end Findlay twice deflected shots by W. Jackson for corners, which were cleared, and Alec Jackson had a shot which swerved wide when it looked that Bradford would be beaten. Three minutes from the interval, following a free kick by MacLachlan, Walter Jackson had the ball in the net, but 'hands" against Paton nullified the point, and Aberdeen were exceedingly unfortunate to be two goals in arrears at half-time.TWO FOR EDWARD.
When play resumed, St Mirren were thrown on the defensive, and Bradford had to a gather a ground ball from Paton, and a raid to the other end by Thomson finished with Blackwell running out and holding his cross. A. Jackson returned to the attack for Aberdeen and centred accurately, but Smith, from good position, shot wildly. Again A. Jackson centred, but this time Findlay cleared before W. Jackson could get in. Aberdeen continued to keep the visitors on the defensive, and, with eleven minutes gone A. Jackson was badly fouled on the right of the penalty area. Edward took the free kick and lobbed the ball into goal, where it passed over Bradford's head into the side net. Two minutes later Edward levelled the scores. Bradford left his charge to gather a ground ball. He got it but slipped and lost possession, and, before he could recover, the home right-half dashed up and netted. Following this success, Aberdeen appeared to momentarily slacken their efforts, and the St Mirren attack came more into the game. Thomson and Evans led several dangerous raids, and it was only fine play by the Aberdeen backs that kept them in hand. Temper crept into the game, and there were several incidents which called for the referee's intervention. Of a flag-kick by Thomson, Blackwell palmed the ball down dangerously, but J. Jackson cleared. A. Jackson made great efforts to put Aberdeen on the lead, and once Findlay only pulled him up at the expense of a corner. Consequent upon the robust tackling of the visitors, A. Jackson and Paton were injured, but, after treatment, were able to continue. Bruce, who showed cleverness at inside left for the home team, just missed counting with a fine shot. Following this, the brothers Jackson executed a very clever combined movement. Walter was left on the right of the goal with only Bradford to beat. The keeper left his charge to intercept, but, as he came out, Jackson flicked the ball past him, but it went behind a matter of inches wide of the goal. It was the best chance of the game. With six minutes left for play, McCrae was fouled about 40 yards out, and Barclay's shot found the net from the free-kick, Blackwell and J. Jackson, who were both underneath the bar, being completely deceived by the flight of the ball. In the closing stages there was some rough play, and Pirie was ordered off. Although he was probably one of the mildest of the sinners, he had previously been cautioned.Source: Press & Journal, 17th November 1924