Aberdeen 3 - 1 Celtic

CELTIC BEWILDERED BY DAZZLE OF THE ABERDEEN ATTACK. Yorston Puts Up a Scoring Record.

As the result of Saturday?s games, there is little change in the placings in the First and Second Divisions of the Scottish League. Rangers are well on the way to winning the First Division championship for the fourth year in succession, but Aberdeen continue to present a serious challenge. As the result of a dazzling display by the home forwards, Celtic were soundly beaten at Pittodrie, and but for the brilliance of Thomson in the visitors' goal the margin of victory must have been considerably more than two goals.

Saturday was a red letter day for the Aberdeen Football Club. To defeat Celtic by three goals to one and thus take four points in one season from a member of the 'Old Firm' was to repeat the feat of 1922-23. Add to this the fact that Yorston, the Pittodrie centre-forward, beat the club goal-scoring record of 1922, which stood to the credit of Johnny Miller, and the fact that he is still the top scorer of the Scottish First Division and one can well understand the Dons? jubilation.
Celtic were outplayed and outstayed, and as one Aberdeen supporter so aptly summed up the situation - nothing short of stone wall would have held the Pittodrie attack. It is almost impossible to put into words the devastating powerfulness of the forwards. Five men good and true played with machine-like precision. They were fleet-footed and lightning-like in their thrusts and bewildered 22,000 spectators and ten Celts with their verve and deadly marksmenship.

Goalkeeper a Hero.

The only wearer of the 'green and white' who refused to be moved was Thomson (J.), the goalkeeper, who was the hero of the game.
The outstanding personality in an outstanding quintette of forwards was Yorston. He, was a veritable David amongst many Goliaths. He was all over the field, and refused to be quelled. An imp of mischief, the Celtic defence must have wondered how such an abundance of energy could be bound up in such little bulk. Although the attack was brilliant, a big factor in the Aberdeen victory was the half line.
McLaren was a third back and a grand defender, while two intermediate men of the ability of Hill and Black would be difficult to find. Fortunately, the home defence got little to do. Legge was the better of the pair, but Cooper gave a greatly-improved display.
No half-back was brilliant in the Celtic line, and in attack only Thomson (A.) and Napier showed fair form.

Brilliant Forwards.

In the first minute Smith gave Yorston a chance, but the centre placed the ball in Thomson's hands. Scarffe and Connolly took play to the other end, but Legge intervened. Aberdeen quickly swept play to Thomson?s end where the 'keeper distinguished himself with a great save from Smith. The Celtic goal ran a very narrow escape when the 'keeper just managed to reach a pile-driver by Cheyne. With nine minutes gone Aberdeen took the lead. Another drive got the crossbar and the ball went into the air. As it descended Yorston headed into the net.
Well backed by three splendid half-backs, the Aberdeen attack was continually on top of the Celtic defence, and another goal was imminent. It came within five minutes of the first, Love driving a Smith cross past the awkwardly-placed Thomson after Yorston had done the spade work.

Defence Pulverised.

Following this the Aberdeen attack simply pulverised the Celtic defence.
A smashing drive by Love was held by Thomson, and a hook shot by Yorston caught the woodwork. At last the Celtic got going, and Yuill did well to push away a shot by Napier. The rally was short-lived, however, and at the other end Thomson defied the Aberdeen marksmen. He saved from Yorston twice, Smith, Hill, and Cheyne. Scarffe on two occasions tried to lead his men on the attack, but each time the home defence triumphed. Thomson added to his already considerable reputation when he punched over a terrific shot by Love. The Aberdeen bombardment was bound to be rewarded, and a third goal duly arrived. Yorston fastened on a shot which had been blocked, and before anyone could interfere had the hall in the net. The diminutive home centre-forward almost counted again when he drove against the woodwork. Cheyne and Yorston missed by the narrowest of margins, and tries by Hill and McDermid were held by Thomson. Celtic broke away, and were in the act of taking a corner when the whistle went for half-time.

Celtic Rally.

At the start of the second period Aberdeen looked as if they were to continue the good work, Thomson holding a centre from Hill. Love and Cheyne were prominent, the latter heading into the 'keeper's hands. Following this, things quietened down considerably. In a Celtic rally Scarffe force a corner, and then the visitors scored. Napier, who got the ball drove hard for goal, and it was in the net before Yuill could reach it.
This success acted as a tonic to the Parkhead side, and Napier almost counted again. Following a scramble in the Celtic goal. Thomson dealt with a snap-shot from Yorston. Another Celtic revival saw Yuill save from Thomson (A.), and Napier shot over.

Many Shots Blocked.

Aberdeen came again, and dangerous efforts by Yorston and Cheyne were blocked. Thomson was in action to a header from Yorston, and a minute later held a grand try from the little leader. Celtic, who had the wind behind them, had improved a little this half, and following a corner, Yuill got in the way of a shot by Connolly. Away went the home forwards again, and McDermid had a shot blocked, while Thomson saved from Yorston. In passing back to Yuill, Legge almost beat the 'keeper, and immediately after the home custodian distinguished himself with a clever save from Scarffe. Until the final whistle Aberdeen peppered the Celtic citadel.

Source: Press & Journal, 6th January 1930