Queens Park 2 - 2 Aberdeen

In a thrilling struggle at Hampden Park before 20,000 spectators, Aberdeen and Queen's Park divided four goals. As the outcome, Aberdeen retain their place the top of the league table, but Rangers are relatively in a better position, as, with two matches fewer played, they are only one point behind the leaders.

After being two goals in arrears Aberdeen made a remarkable recovery, and went very rear to winning. It was a game brimful of thrills, and the big crowd at times were excited to great heights of enthusiasm. The feature of the game was the brilliant attack of both teams, but whereas the Amateurs were largely dependent upon the artistry of J. B. McAlpine. Aberdeen were better balanced and worked much more smoothly together.
The result did justice to both sides, but none could have grudged Aberdeen the points had they won outright. After the scores had stood 2-2, Yorston sent the ball against the goalpost with R. G. Peden out of his charge, and later the little centre-forward sent wide of an open goal.

Dominating Attack.

While all departments of both teams played well, it was the forwards who dominated the game. For Aberdeen, McDermid and Yorston were brilliant. The captain was the best schemer on the field, and Yorston's quickness and nippiness made him an ever present menace to the Amateur's defence. Love, Cheyne, and Smith were also in deadly form, and it was generally agreed that the quartette served up the best exhibition of forward play seen in Glasgow this season.
All three Aberdeen half-backs were on the top of their form, McLarcn and Hill being outstanding. The backs were not prominent, but Legge again gave an impressive display. Yuill was shaky in the earlier stages, but later gave a very smart display.

Brilliant Goalkeeping.

R. G. Peden in the amateurs' goal, effected numerous thrilling saves, and his work was largely responsible for his team keeping a point. W. Wiseman was the better back, and in a smart middle line, W. S. King was successful, though R. Gillespie put in a lot of sterling defensive play.
J. B. McAlpine was far and away the best of the Queen's Park forwards, and scored a brilliant goal. In the centre, D. McLelland was always dangerous; and G. D. McKenzie, the Buckie lad, showed clever touches on the left.

Two for the Amateurs.

Against the wind the amateurs opened with great dash, and in first minute had hard luck in not scoring, McLelland sending in a shot which Yuill got with his fingers to put past the post for a corner. From the flag kick, King caught on and sent to McKenzie, whose lob landed on top of the Aberdeen rigging. Play for a time was very keen, and at length Hill had a try for Aberdeen. Peden saving cleverly. Shortly after this, McAlpine and Livingstone accidentally collided, but both were able to carry on. After fourteen minutes play the Amateurs went ahead, McLelland, with a clever effort, beating the Aberdeen keeper amid tremendous cheering. Crawford headed into goal and Yuill failed to stop the ball, which went over his head.
McLelland, however, was there to catch on and send into the net., Aberdeen got in some telling work for a spell, but the Amateurs were playing splendidly, and in twenty-two minutes McAlpine again had the big crowd lustily cheering a second goal for the Queen's. Just prior to this, Cheyne had hard luck in not counting, for Aberdeen, the ball crashing against the upright with Peden out of position. Smith caught the rebound, but the home 'keeper was there to clear effectively. Aberdeen forced five corners, but the Queen's defence withstood all their attempts at scoring, and at the interval the amateurs held a lead of 2-0.

Aberdeen's Fine Recovery.

The re-start was sensational. Following a Queen's Park raid, the Dons set to and attacked. In three minutes Love had Peden beaten. The Queen's 'keeper was unsighted as the ball came through a crowd of players to whiz past him into the net. The Queen's rallied, but Aberdeen were out to draw level, and eight minutes later they did so, Cheyne, who all along had been menacing the home defence, being the marksman. For a time thereafter, the Queen's defence were sea, and Aberdeen had chances which they failed to take.
Dashing play by the Aberdeen wingers saw Peden frequently in action, and he was lucky on one occasion when out of his charge, Yorston shooting against the post. Later the Aberdeen centre-forward failed at what was practically an open goal. In the dosing stages Queen's Park repeatedly raided the Aberdeen defence, and there were several thrilling incidents in the vicinity of Yuill. who played superbly at a critical time, and was splendidly supported by his colleagues.

Source: Press & Journal, 16th December 1929