Airdrie 2 - 0 Aberdeen

Dash of Airdrie Wins the Day.

Aberdeen suffered yet another unlooked-for defeat at Broomfield Park on Saturday, when they went under to Airdrieonians by two goals to nil.

The Dons' display was far from encouraging in view of the Cup-ties, and a big improvement will have to be shown if they are to keep the Black and Gold standard flying any length of time in the knock-out competition.
There was a lack of cohesion between the halves and forwards, and the latter should have been much more dangerous in front of goal.
The policy of over-elaboration and too close passing played a big part in Aberdeen's defeat. The inside men and the halfbacks were inclined to walk the ball to the feet of a team-mate instead of getting it away first-time. Against a strong Airdrie defence which did not stand on ceremony, these tactics proved fatal.
Airdrie are in grave danger of relegation, and this was evident from their play. From the start they went into their work with great dash and abandon, no doubt born of desperation. Aberdeen played the better football, but the 'Onians were an enthusiastic and whole-hearted team, and they deserved their victory.
The two points gained at the expense of the Dons may prove of incalculable value to the Broomfield Parkers, and their prospects of avoiding the Second Division are already considerably enhanced.

Play Described.

Airdrie played with the wind in the first half, but both teams were slow to settle. The homesters were first to be dangerous, and Smith saved at full length from Connor.
Several Aberdeen attacks were held up by the 'Onians' defence before a raking drive by Beattie missed by the narrowest of margins.
Airdrie attacked again, and Connor and Davln came within an ace of counting. Aberdeen were holding their own at this stage, however, and R. Morrison brought off good saves from McLean and Love, the latter shot being from point-blank range.
Even exchanges continued until three minutes from the interval when Airdrie took the lead. Connor cut through the defence, and although Smith, at full length, reached the centre's shot, he could not stay its progress.
Immediately on the resumption Aberdeen took matters in hand, and Morrison fisted away from Love, while a great drive by Mills went narrowly past.
Airdrie fought back grimly, and after he had saved a hook shot from Connor, Smith left his goal to pick the ball from the centre's feet.
After half an hour's play Airdrie got a second goal. Mooney and Law got through on the left, and a touchline effort from the former reached the net via McGill's head, Smith's hands, and the post.
Aberdeen launched attack after attack in effort save the day, but the homesters held out.

Thomson a Success.

Smith, Cooper, and McGill, the Aberdeen rear trio, played well up to point, but none of the three appeared too comfortable at times under pressure.
Thomson, who was brought in at centre-half, acquitted himself well and gave the impression that, with a little more experience, he will develop into a top-notch centre-half. He was especially prominent in the first half by powerful tackling and kicking.
Fraser showed his best form in the first period. McDermid did not reveal his best form, although he initiated some clever moves.
The forwards failed to work well as a line. McLean was the better the two extreme wingers, but he was not so prominent as on the previous Saturday. Love never seemed to get the measure of Calder and Thomson.

"Policing" of Moore.

Beattie was the best of the Aberdeen attacking quintette but his passing was not very accurate. Mills was clever, but not very effective; while Moore got scant support, and was too well watched to be dangerous.
R. Morrison, Crapnell, and Calder were a strong and hard-working Airdrie rear trio, while Thomson, a clever and forceful player, was the best of the middle-men. Forward the wingers, Johnston and Mooney, were often dangerous, and Connor was an eager and quick-thinking leader.

LOST AND FOUND.

On returning to the pavilion at Broomfield after the Airdrie-Aberdeen game, Jack Beattie, the Dons' forward, was astonished to discover that his pocketbook was missing from his jacket. The pocket-book contained several £1 notes and Beattie reported his loss to the officials. Everybody was rather worried about the matter until, on arriving home on Saturday evening, Beattie found his pocket book in safe hands. It had dropped from his pocket as he was entering a taxi-cab to take him to catch the early train that morning, and, fortunately, its fall was observed by a member of the household.

Source: Press & Journal, 16th January 1933