Hibernian 2 - 3 Aberdeen

Spittal's Best Game: Mills As Master Craftsman.

Aberdeen scored their first away win of the season on Saturday at Easter Road, and incidentally inflicted on Hibs their first defeat of the season.

The Dons deserved their victory. On play there was little between the teams, but on the whole Aberdeen were the better-balanced and better-combining side. It was a hard, fast game, and a 14,000 crowd enjoyed every minute of it.
Aberdeen took the lead in the eighteenth minute, and although the issue was in doubt until the final whistle, the Dons never looked like being beaten.
Hibs are a good, strong side, and will win more matches than they lose, but they lacked that touch of class which was evident in the Aberdeen ranks.
On Saturday's form the Don are a good side, but despite the fact that they found the net three times - once from a penalty - the finishing of the forwards still leaves something to desired.
They were clever individually and collectively, and their dashing raids were always dangerous, but there was a lack of decision at close quarters. If more weight was introduced into the inside forward positions the Dons might play an important part in the championship struggle.
It was by no means against the run of play when Aberdeen took the lead, but Thomson gave Aberdeen supporters a fright with that penalty.

But the Ball Found the Net.

Urquhart handled an Armstrong back-heeler during a determined Aberdeen attack. Thomson took the spot kick and got the ground as well as the ball, the leather trickling into the net near the post.
The Dons did not long enjoy their lead. Hibs attacked in a body from the kick-off, and Borland, fastening on to a Moffat shot which had struck the upright, slashed it Into the net off the crossbar.
It says much for the fighting spirit of Aberdeen that they regained their lead when Spittal was off injured.
Beynon and Warnock got going on the right; across came the ball, and in rushed Mills to hook it into the net. That ended the scoring in the first half. Hibs were determined company when they resumed in the second half, and the Pittodrie defence was tested to the full. The Dons had several dangerous raids, however, and it was no surprise when Armstrong nodded home a Beynon header in twenty minutes - a well-taken goal this.

Two minutes had gone when Walls scored what proved to be the last goal of the match with a splendid drive from twenty yards.
Smith, in the Aberdeen goal, has seldom played with more confidence and judgment, and the same may be said of the backs.
Cooper was the best back of the four, positioning himself cleverly and clearing accurately with head and feet.

Mid-Line Superiority.

At wing half, Aberdeen were superior to Hibs, and this contributed in no small degree to the Dons' victory. Both Fraser and Thomson played well in defence and attack, and there was no better middleman afield than the right-half.
Falloon was always to be found where danger threatened most - a grand defensive pivot.
The honours in attack go to Mills, who has not revealed such ball skill and craft for some time.
He and Spittal struck a happy partnership, and altogether gave the Easter Road defence an uncomfortable time. The winger trapped the ball neatly and lobbed across some delightful centres. It was easily Spittal's best game since he joined the Pittodrie staff.
Armstrong was opposed to a centre-half of more than average ability in Watson, yet the Dons' leader did fairly well. He took his goal very neatly indeed.
Warnock was a hard worker and a good schemer, while Benyon was often prominent but shot poorly.
Blyth, in the Hibs' goal, did not appear comfortable, and this despite the fact that he was well covered by two good backs.
Watson was the best the half-back trio, although Egan showed up well at times.
Walls was the danger-man in attack. He scored once, and twice in the closing minutes he almost notched the equaliser. Moffat, at inside-left, was clever, and Borland was a fast and dangerous raider.

Source: Press & Journal, 27th August 1934