Aberdeen 1 - 0 Falkirk

Aberdeen are holding grimly on to their lead in the race for the Scottish League First Division championship. On Saturday they defeated Falkirk at Pittodrie by the only goal, and but for the superb goalkeeping of Ferguson must have won much more decisively. Rangers and Celtic, who are close on the heels of the leaders, were also winners.

The game abounded in thrills, and more especially during the second half, the ten thousand spectators were kept on edge. On the run of the play, Aberdeen were easily worth their win; indeed, it can be said that in the second period they were defied solely by the brilliance of Ferguson, who gave a wonderful display and earned the cheers accorded him at the close.
Although only scoring one goal, the Aberdeen forwards and half-backs were in delightful form, and it was surprising, considering the soft state of the pitch, that such a hot pace was maintained throughout. In the first, half the exchanges were fairly even, and Aberdeen could not have been grudged a draw at interval.

Defied by a Goalkeeper.

In the second half, however, except for intermittent attacks by Falkirk, it was case of the home attack against Ferguson and his backs. The goalkeeper gave a dazzling display ?one of the finest ever seen on ? the ground, and he stood between his team and a heavier defeat.
In a less measure Hume, Gilroy, and Hamill also contributed to the smallness of the home team's total. They were not polished, and at times were inclined to be over-robust, but gave a whole-hearted display.
At wing half-back Falkirk did not compare favourably with Aberdeen and weakness in these positions accounted largely for the fading out of the visitors' attack.
In the first half the Falkirk forwards lashed the ball about and their swinging tactics paid, the home goal being frequently in danger, but in the second they were much less effective, although they might have scored on two occassions. McGregor was a smart right winger and Miller and Russell showed cleverness in the inside berths.
All over, however, the line lacked the dash and fire of the Aberdeen forwards, but with fewer opportunities shot well on occasion.

Hill Outstanding.>/b>

Yuill the Aberdeen goal gave one of his best displays and accomplished several brilliant eaves. At back the team was not so convincing, but neither Livingstone nor Legge made any serious mistake.
All three half-backs were brilliant, particularly Hill, who was the outstanding middleman afield. All the forwards sparkled in aggressive attacks which they backed up with powerful shooting. McDermid, Yorston, and Cheyne were a mixture of craft and nippiness, and Love and Smith were dashing and dangerous wingers.

Yorston's Goal.

The exchanges in the opening stages were of a rather tame nature, and the first incident of note was the outcome of a shot by Cheyne, which was blocked. Smith broke away on the left soon afterwards, but his effort swung across the goal. At the other end, Yuill made a smart clearance from Gall, with several Falkirk players in attendance. Gall and Hutchison had good tries and at the other end Ferguson caught a snap shot from Yorston.
With twelve minutes gone Aberdeen took the lead. Clever work by Hill and Cheyne left Yorston in possession, and the centre, shooting on the run, netted a grand goal. Falkirk rallied following this reverse, and Yuill had a difficult shot from Russell.

Yuill Kept Busy.

Aberdeen held the advantage however, and in another brisk attack, Ferguson dealt with shots from Cheyne and Yorston. Love made a gallant individual effort and forced a fruitless corner, and then in another Falkirk revival, Yuill had to look lively to reach a shot by McGregor. The visitors made ground rapidly by swinging the tall about, but the home defence was sound.
From a free kick, Hill missed by the narrowest of margins, and immediately afterwards the home left-half was cheered for smart play.
Towards the interval Falkirk rallied again and Yuill saved neatly from Miller, the goalkeeper recovering on the goal-line after appearing to have been beaten.
Falkirk were fast to attack on the resumption, but were quickly repulsed and at the other end a centre by Cheyne was intercepted.

Ferguson's Part.

The Falkirk goal ran a narrow escape when Ferguson dived at full-length from Love. Before he could clear Yorston was on top of him, and it was only after a scrimmage that the ball was got out of danger.
Immediately following this, play swung to other end where McGinnigle just failed to reach a cross from McGregor. The visitors attack became quite lively after this and Yuill saved from Gall at the expense of a corner. The home side soon took play to the vicinity of the Falkirk goal and Yorston failed to net from a Smith cross.

Hit the Crossbar.

The home team were superior after this and the visitors' citadel ran another narrow escape when the defence missed the ball and Yorston gained possession. The centre-forward ran on and let drive, the ball striking the underside of the crossbar and rebounding to the bewildered 'keeper. From the corner that resulted there was bit of a scene and the referee had to speak to several of the players.
Excitement ran high after this incident and the Falkirk defence was given a busy time. Aberdeen kept up a determined offensive and Ferguson saved from Smith and Cheyne, the latter at the second attempt. In a brisk counter raid by Falkirk, Gall missed a good chance and at the other end Ferguson saved well from Love and Yorston. The Falkirk defence was hard pressed, but stood up well. Ferguson fisted clear from a corner by Smith, and another flag-kick by Cheyne was scrambled away. The 'keeper had to make a swift dive to a piledriver by Hill, and in another fierce Aberdeen attack, Love missed narrowly.
The homesters were rampant and shots by McDermid, Cheyne and Yorston all came near counting. A drooping shot by Smith struck the crossbar, and shortly afterwards McDermid shot into Ferguson's hands. It was a rousing tussle.

Source: Press & Journal, 23rd December 1929