Motherwell 7 - 2 Aberdeen

MOTHERWELL "A" APPLY SCREW

Had Aberdeen "A" adopted first time tactics in their Alliance encounter at Fir Park the result might have borne a different complexion.

Right from the start Motherwell applied the screw, and even when they had the game well in their own hands they did not relax.
In the opening exchanges there was little to enthuse over, play being confined to midfield. while both custodians were troubled but little. While they opened brightly the visitors never seemed to settle down to any real constructive policy.
What with loose gathering and poor finishing it was often with great difficulty that the forward line penetrated through Murray at all. Splendid saving on the part of Kelly, and excellent defensive work by Temple and Newton held in check a keen and enthusiastic home forward line When Gillies opened the scoring for the home side, play brightened up considerably. Campbell, Skea and Warnock had excellent shots at goal, and Taylor found the net. This gave the visitors a measure of confidence.
When Gillies, McGillivray and McCulloch brought the home score up to four before the interval, the visitors' play deteriorated.
Stark put the home side further ahead after the interval, and then Aberdeen threw themselves into the game with abandon. Had they kept up this form until the end it is hard to say what would have happened. They tried desperately to reduce the leeway.
Skea eventually netted, but Motherwell retaliated strongly, and bombarded the visitors' charge. The manner in which it was defended says much for Kelly. Aberdeen went down with colours flying Towards the end. however. Gillies added two more to the Motherwell total.

Source: Press & Journal, 10th January 1938