Aberdeen 2 - 0 Hibernian

A thrilling duel between the Aberdeen attack and the Hibernian defence kept the 10,000 spectators at Pittodrie excited throughout the first half. A couple of goals early in the second rather spoiled the rest of the game, but for the most part of it the old attack and defence was renewed. The Hibernians had McColl at outside-right and Bradley at outside left, while Aberdeen were on the usual lines. The early stages of the game were of an even nature. Aberdeen were smarter and surer in working the ball, without being able to draw the Hibernian defenders, who were good tacklers and ready kickers. The Easter Road attack was more open, but was spoiled by a heavy wind or baulked by good positional play by Livingstone and Legge. All through the first half the play fluctuated, the heavier attack always coming from the home side, but so well did Dick, Wilkinson, Urquhart, and Robb play that they kept their goal intact. The opening minutes of the second half saw Aberdeen suddenly in a favourable position. Taylor miskicked and the ball went for a corner. Cheyne, the inside-right, took the flag kick, and swerve and wind carried the ball into the net, a repetition of the goal which he scored for Scotland at Hampden. In five minutes more a hard scrimmage near the Hibernian goal ended in Love scoring. For a long time Aberdeen monopolised the attack, and Cheyne almost repeated his corner-kick goal. Near the end the Hibernians revived, and McColl had a grand run down the wing, beating two men and only being baulked in the goalmouth. That was the thrill of the afternoon. Aberdeen held a decided advantage in team play, but in defence the Hibernians were very sound.

Source: The Scotsman, 9th December 1929

Outdoor sports at the week-end did not escape the effects of the gale, and many games had to be cancelled or abandoned after a commencement had been made. On the Association field, home teams in the Scottish and English Leagues had a profitable time. Aberdeen retain their lead in the First Division of the Scottish by reason of a comfortable victory over Hibernian at Pittodrie, but Rangers, Motherwell. Celtic, and Hearts, their nearest challengers, were all winners.

Aberdeen's victory over Hibernian at Pittodrie was much more easily gained than the score would suggest. Except for intermittent periods, when the Edinburgh team made fugitive raids, the League leaders were on top even during the first half, when they were disadvantage of having to contend with a strong wind. The latter was a disturbing factor throughout, yet the 12,000 spectators saw what was always an interesting if not exactly even struggle.

Outstanding Features.

Two features the game stood out - the fast, accurate passing of the home forwards and the strong, determined defence offered by the goalkeeper and backs of Hibernian. Against a less redoubtable trio the Aberdeen attack must have scored several more goals. As it was, the finishing of the home forwards was not up to the standard of their outfield work. Aberdeen held a big advantage at forward and half-back, and this proved the deciding factor in the game.

Cheyne In Form.

On the home side Cheyne, who scored direct from the corner flag, was in brilliant form his swerving movements often bewildering the opposition. McDermid was ever prominent with forceful leading up work and Love, who got his thirteenth goal of the season, was in deadly form. Yorston, although failing to get his usual goal, showed admirable distribution and accomplished many clever things but experienced bad luck near goal, for which he made many good attempts. Smith alone was not seen to advantage. Black, McLaren, and Hill were a powerful half-back trio who ably backed their forwards, and the first also shone with sterling defensive play. Livingstone and Legge were a reliable pair of backs and Yuill's goalkeeping left nothing to be desired.

Best For Hibernian.

For Hibeenian, Robb gave his usual display and effected a number of brilliant saves. He was splendidly supported by Wilkinson and Urquhart, who never wavered in face of the terrific onslaughts of the Aberdeen forwards and did as well as any back combination seen at Pittodrie this season. Dick was the best of a moderate half-back line.
In attack, the visitors were well served by Brown - easily their best forward - and the veteran McColl, who shaped finely at outside right.

Run of the Play.

Despite the fact, that they were set to face a strong breeze in the first half, Aberdeen made the running from the start, and for the first ten minutes Hibernian were kept entirely on the defensive. The visitors' goal was in constant danger, and ran a very narrow escape when Yorston got, through to send between Urquhart's legs but Robb was on the spot. Cheyne missed a chance soon afterwards when failing to collect a Love pass. Hibs made their initial attack, and, following a corner, Yuill saved from Robson.
The home attack swept to the other end, and Robb punched over a smart effort by Smith, he was again in action a minute later to a splendid shot by Cheyne.

Aberdeen on Top.

Although the Edinburgh side improved as the game advanced, Aberdeen still had the better of maters, and visitors' defence had a gruelling time. McLarcn shot over, and in a Hibs.' rally Yuill had difficulty in getting rid of a dangerous cross from Bradley. The citadel was again in danger when Yuill had to go to full length to a pass back from McLaren.
A smart movement by Smith, Love, and Yorston resulted in the last named just missing with a surprise shot. A brisk raid by the visitors almost bore fruit, Yuill holding a header from Bradley at close range. Aberdeen kept up a persistent attack, in which Cheyne was the leading spirit.
Prior to the interval the Hibernian goal had a narrow escape, Robb failing to get hold of the ball in a goalmouth scrimmage, it went to Hill but the home half-back smashed it over. Cheyne headed wide immediately after, following clever play by McDermid, and at the other end Yuill did well to clear a shot from McColl.

Cheyne's Feat.

Aberdeen resumed the second period briskly, and within the first five minutes something of a sensation was created. A cornet was forced on the right, and Cheyne taking the kick emulated his Hampden Park feat by scoring direct.
Immediately afterwards the home inside-right almost repeated the performance, Robb just managing to punch the ball over the top.
Aberdeen were playing very convincingly at this stage. Yorston had a shot blocked, and before the ball could be cleared Love dashed in to score a second goal.

Hibernian Miss.

The visitors were by no means a spent force, and the Aberdeen goal ran a narrow escape when Dobson got there to send against the keeper. Play once more swept to the other end, where Smith shot weakly when he might have done better. Cheyne took the eye with a dangerous oblique shot, and a minute later a terrific shot by the same player was inches high.
Following a flag-kick by Smith, Robb saved fine tries by McLaren and Yorston. Subsequently Hibernian pressed, but could not get to close quarters. Cheyne was in his best form, and in another home raid had two shots which might have counted. Towards the end the Hibs defence was stretched to breaking point, but succeeded in holding out.

Source: Press & Journal, 9th December 1929