Aberdeen 1 - 2 St. Mirren

Aberdeen Club's autumn holiday Scottish League engagements at Pittodrie Park have both ended in defeat - Morton's victory of 2 goals to 1 on Saturday being repeated yesterday by St Mirren with similar figures. Aberdeen set off with great energy, and raised the enthusiasm of the crowd of over 14,000 spectators by scoring first about a couple of minutes from the start, through a long swift shot by Pirie, the centre-half - a first time effort. After that, however, St Mirren took the upper hand, and kept the ball swinging, while Aberdeen relied more on individual rushes, which were rather easily countered by a set of first-time defenders. Hutton's failure to clear his lines properly enabled McCrae, St Mirren's smart centre forward to rush in and obtain the equaliser, and it was not long afterwards before the same player had placed his team on the lead enabling them to cross over with the advantage of 2 goals to 1. St Mirren, undoubtedly, adopted more effective tactics in playing the open game and keeping good control of the ball, while being speedier than their opponents. Their outstanding players were Findlay, Newbigging, Summers, McCrae, and Gillies. For Aberdeen, the best were Bruce, Pirie, Reid, and McDermid .

Source: The Scotsman, 29th September 1925

Aberdeen sustained their third successive, and second home defeat in three days, at Pittodrie yesterday, when St Mirren beat them by 2 goals to 1. About 12,000 spectators saw the visitors richly deserve their victory. They were much the nippier and better balanced side. Their forwards kept swinging the ball in a manner which disconcerted the home defenders, and worked in much better harmony than the Aberdeen attackers, who relied more on individual bursts rather than combined effort to achieve their purpose. Aberdeen flattered to deceive, when after only one minute's play Pirie sent in a long drive, which found the net from about 30 yards' range, Bradford's vision apparently being obscured by colleagues in front, otherwise he might have saved. St Mirren were not long in arrears, and following fast play, in which all their forwards took part, McCrae profited by mistakes by Aberdeen defenders to place the ball out Blackwell's reach from short range. Both goals were subsequently visited in turn, Bradford saving from Walter Jackson and Blackwell from McCrae. The game again turned in favour of St Mirren, and Hutton in attempting to clear a cross from the right, headed to the feet of McCrae, who cleverly hooked the ball out of Blackwell's reach. Play continued to favour St Mirren, whose forwards easily brushed aside the Aberdeen defence, and Blackwell was hurt in effecting a brilliant save from an equally fine try by McRae, who repeatedly harassed the home backs. At the interval St Mirren easily retained their lead.

State of Equality.

There was more equality between the teams in the second half, but St Mirren always looked more likely to increase their lead than Aberdeen to equalise. There were several exciting incidents in front of both goals, and more than once the ball was scrambled away. On one occasion Bradford out of his goal, failed to get possession, and close to the flag conceded a corner kick, following which he effected a fine save when lying on the ground and harassed by opponents, he threw the ball out. Aberdeen made a belated recovery, but although Smith, McDermid, and Walter Jackson had tries, they were denied the equaliser. Near the close, while the home team were on attack, Mason broke away, and off his pass McCrae flashed the ball just wide of Blackwell's goal.

The Players.

Aberdeen's was a disappointing display, and after their short-lived lead they never looked like winners. Despite having a previous injury aggravated, Blackwell performed very creditably in goal, and was quite blameless for the defeat. At back Hutton and Bruce gave a patchy display, and were never quite sure of themselves. The wing halves were below par, and Pirie alone in this department played anything like to form. The attack suffered because of the inside wing forwards relapsing into a defensive game for the greater part of the contest. Reid was conspicuous on occasion, and McDermid and Waiter Jackson came into prominence, but, as on Saturday, they were anything but dangerous in their shooting.
In a methodical and fast moving St Mirren team Bradford performed creditably in goal without having much chance to reveal brilliance. Findlay and Newbiggin were a better back combination than Hutton and Bruce, and in a serviceable half-back line, Summers was always outstanding with good breaking up work. McCrae at centre forward was a nippy and clever leader, who was never afraid to shoot, and kept the game open throughout. He was best supported by Mason and Gillies.

Source: Press & Journal, 29th September 1925