Heart of Midlothian 2 - 2 Aberdeen

HT Score: Heart of Midlothian 1 - 2 Aberdeen

Div 1 (Old)

Heart of Midlothian scorers: Battles 18, Battles 64
Aberdeen scorers: Yorston 43, McDermid 44.

19/10/1929 | KO:

ABERDEEN'S GREAT BATTLE WITH HEARTS AT TYNECASTLE.

Aberdeen justified their position as League leaders by forcing a draw with the Heart of Midlothian in a keen match at Tynecastle, Edinburgh. The visitors were without Cheyne, their international inside-right, but if their attack were weakened, the defending sections played their parts well. Their breezy tactics kept the Hearts from consolidating a good opening and stood the test of a strenuous finish. A tendency to use weight cost the Aberdeen players a heavy toll in free kicks, but in the main their robust policy succeeded, and the draw against rival challengers was an undoubted achievement. The Hearts had the pull in pressure without being quite in their "big occasion" form. They began well by scoring in eighteen minutes through Battles, who met the ball cleverly with his head following a cross by Murray. The latter made the most of the running for the Hearts in the fore part of the game. Binnie plied him well with the ball, and the crosses usually fell opportunely for Battles, who, however, found McHale a difficult man to shake off. One of the best saves in the game was made by Yuill from a header by Battles. Aberdeen's best attacking was done on the left, where McDermid was a hard worker and Smith too fast for McStay. A run and a shot by Smith two minutes from the interval led to disasters for the Hearts. Harkness, lying outstretched, stopped but could not hold the ball, which Yorston placed into the net. In a minute more McDermid capped a lively scrimmage with a second goal. These successes put confidence into the Aberdeen team when they crossed over, although their football still lacked the finer points. The Hearts showed good fighting spirit, and their equalising goal, scored in a flash by Battles, who trapped the ball as it came over form R. Johnston, was somewhat overdue. A shot by Yorston glanced off the post, but generally it was Aberdeen who had their backs to the wall. When J. A. Johnston headed the ball through from a corner the crowd hailed the effort as the winning goal, and were chagrined to find the referee award a free kick to Aberdeen for some obscure infringement. Despite hostile attentions Battle led the Hearts well, but the inside forwards did not relish the hard knocks. Binnie and Johnston played soundly at half-back, and King was good at back, though the chief honours in back play went to Livingstone of Aberdeen. The 35,000 spectators got full measure in hard play and excitement.

Source: The Scotsman, 21st October 1929

Aberdeen are still at the top of the First Division of the Scottish League. On Saturday at Tynecastle, in a thrilling duel, they shared four goals with Heart of Midlothian. This was a fine performance on the part of the Pittodrie team, which had to take the field without Cheyne, their internationalist inside right. There was a surprise at Pittodrie, where Aberdeen "A" were beaten by Partick Thistle "A" for the second time in a fortnight.

To extract a point where Rangers lost two was a capital performance on the part of Aberdeen. On a beautiful afternoon the game attracted nearly 40,000 spectators, and these were kept on edge throughout a game that was contested with the fierceness and vigour of cup-tie.
Although Hearts exerted more pressure, Aberdeen earned their draw, and that too, despite failing to reproduce their best form.
Their defence often scrambled through, but they fought with rare grit, and the forwards were ever ready to bring relief by speedy thrusts. Both teams were affected by nerves, and an unpleasant feature about the game was the great number of free kicks awarded for fouls.

Outstanding Players.

In defence, Aberdeen wore brilliantly served by Yuill and Livingstone, who were on the top of their form. McHale at centre-half made many mistakes, but was a powerful breaker-up. At wing half-back the team was admirably served by Black and Hill. Forward, the honours went to McDermid, Yorston, and Smith. Falloon, who took the place of Cheyne, was not a success.
Hearts, who gave an uneven display, were best served by Harkness, McStay and Johnstone (J.) in defence; and the most prominent attackers were Battles, Chalmers and Murray.
Hearts made the running at the start, and Yuill cleared from Battles, with Chalmers in attendance. Attack and counter attack developed. McStay stopped an Aberdeen raid by dispossessing Smith, and Hearts made the running. Murray gave Battles a chance, but before the latter could get the ball under control to shoot, Livingstone dashed in and cleared. Following clever work by Chalmers, Battles had a fierce header which seemed certain to count, but Yuill brought off a magnificent save.

Hearts Go Ahead.

Hearts who had practically monopolised the attacking, took the lead after eighteen minutes play. Murray beat Hickie to square accurately, and Battles headed past Yuill.
Aberdeen retaliated in spirited fashion, and Harkness had to save long range shots by Black and Smith. A misunderstanding between the home backs almost let Love through but King recovered, and later, when hard pressed, kicked into corner. McDermid was forcing the game for Aberdeen who forced corners on each side of the field, and these were cleared with difficulty.
Yuill was called upon by Battles and Miller and twice cleared when hard pressed. Towards the interval Aberdeen developed their left attack and were rewarded with the equaliser. Yorston let Smith away, and the winger ran on to beat McStay and deliver a terrific ground shot. Harkness made wonderful dive and pushed the ball out, but he could only deflect it to Yorston who deftly flicked it into the net while the goalkeeper was still on the ground.
Less, than a minute had elapsed when Aberdeen sensationally took the lead. Love forced a corner, and Falloon placed the flag kick accurately. Harkness fisted out, but the ball went to McDermid, who had two successive shots blocked by defenders before he netted at the third attempt.

Keen Exchanges.

Keenness was the key note when the game resumed, and there were many desperate tackles by defenders of both teams. Aberdeen were forced on the defensive, but they fought with rare spirit. A faulty pass back by Hickie nearly led to disaster, but Yuill came to the rescue, and later punched away in quick succession from Murray and Miller. At this stage Hearts made desperate onslaughts on the Aberdeen defence, but the latter covered each other up splendidly. On one occasion three successive shots were blocked, and Hickie actually saved a goal when he received the ball full in the face.

Hearts Draw Level.

With nineteen minutes gone Hearts drew level. Johnstone (R.) swung the ball over to Battles, who eluded a tackle by McHale, and shot a brilliant goal from just beyond the penalty spot.
Encouraged by this success Hearts threatened to take the lead. Following a corner kick Murray did actually have the ball in the net, but he was adjudged to have handled, and the point was disallowed.

Hit the Post.

Shaking off the home attacks Aberdeen took up the offensive and Smith, Yorston and McDermid had the Hearts backs In difficulties. On one occasion, Yorston worked out to the left to deliver a brilliant cross shot which had Harkness beaten but the post intervened. Another time the Aberdeen centre-forward beat King on the right and finished with a shot which was only inches wide. It was a desperate struggle until the end and the result did justice to both teams.

Source: Press & Journal, 21st October 1929