Queen of the South 2 - 1 Aberdeen

Blunders by Attack and Defence.

Queen the South put end to Aberdeen's run of success which started on October 6.

The Dumfries men deserved their win because they accepted their chances.
Aberdeen gave a disappointing display, both in defence and attack.
Had the forwards accepted the chances that came their way, the Dons would have won handsomely. On the other hand, had the defence not blundered, Queen of the South would never have secured the winning goal seven minutes from the end.
Recent results had engendered hopes that the forwards had lost, to some extent at any rate, that goalmouth weakness which was very much in evidence in the early part of the season. These hopes proved false and Saturday's failure emphasised the fact that more punch is needed in attack.

Early Lead.

With a strong wind in their favour in the first half, Queen the South had the better of the exchanges. Four minutes after the start they took the lead. Falloon failed to intercept a pass from Renfrew to Ferguson, and the left half's shot was deflected into the net by McGill.
As the Dumfries team failed to add their total before the interval, Aberdeen's prospects were quite bright. When Armstrong equalised nine minutes after the resumption an Aberdeen victory seemed assured. 'Twas not to be, however. The chances were there, but the forwards failed to accept them.
There was little to complain of in their outfield play, but within the penalty area they bunched and overdid the close passing.
With seven minutes to go the game was won and lost. Nesbitt picked up a pass from Curley, and ran through to lift the ball smartly past Smith into the net. Both Falloon and McGill were within distance of the inside-right, and one or the other should have tackled.

Very Much "Off."

It was unfortunate that an "off" day by the defence should coincide with the return of the forwards' goalmouth weakness.
Smith, in the Aberdeen goal, was not particularly busy and had little chance with the balls that beat him. W. Anderson, a fast and dangerous raider, proved too big a handful for McGill. Had the left back tackled first time, he might have been more successful. As it was, he played the waiting game, and this seemed to suit the speedy right-winger.
Cooper was a strong defender. He was none too sure of Tulip at the start, but he gradually took a firm grip, and before the finish had him well subdued.
Falloon failed to produce his best form. He was a hard worker, but was not the indomitable figure we have come to expect.
Thomson and Donald were sound defensive wing halfs, but could have been seen to better advantage in an attacking capacity. Donald was a stronger and more confident right half than against Queen's Park the previous week.

No Star in Attack.

There was no star in attack. Considering the support he got, Armstrong did quite well, and his goal was a smartly-taken affair. He accepted a pass from Thomson, beat two opponents, and hooked the ball into the net off the post with his left foot.
Neither Mills or Warnock did anything of note, while Johnston, on the right wing, was seldom in the limelight. He had one great shot, however, which Fotheringham did well to touch over the bar.
R. Smith had one or two good runs with Mills, but was prominent only for the fact that he missed a great chance when he lifted a Mills slip into Fotheringham's hands from close range.
Fotheringham was a sound Queen of the South 'keeper, but Savage and Kerr were none too steady under pressure.
Allan was the best Dumfries defender. He was sure in his tackling and kicked strongly and accurately. Ferguson, the left half, was seen at his best in the first half, when he was the outstanding middleman afield.
McKay took the honours in a go-ahead attack. He was clever on the ball, and distributed play smartly. W. Anderson was an elusive right-winger, but could improve his crossing of the ball.

Source: Press & Journal, 10th December 1934

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