Clyde 1 - 1 Aberdeen

Goal Weakness Tells in Match With Dons.

The "faithful" may consider Aberdeen were fortunate to escape with a point.

On play Clyde certainly held an advantage, but it is goals that count and in this all-important phase of the game the Shawfielders were definitely weak.
It was quite a satisfactory result from an Aberdeen point of view. The Dons played hard, but their play suggested that they were not forgetful of the important Scottish Cup semi-final tie with Hamilton Accies at Celtic Park this week-end.
They did not touch their form, and they must certainly show improvement against the Accies.

Defence in Form.

Much of the credit for the draw must go to the defence, which put up a stern resistance in the face of Clyde's repeated attacks in the second half.
Armstrong, the Dons' leader, missed two possible scoring chances in the opening minutes. The first was when he speedily followed a smart Moore lob to send high over, and again when both Mayes and Beaton failed to get a high ball and he raced through to send inches high.
Clyde's goal came from a penalty awarded in the thirty-fifth minute. Falloon brought Johnstone down in a tackle, and Smith (M.) smashed the ball into the net from the spot.
Two minutes sufficed for the Dons to get on level terms. Moore slipped the ball out to Adam, and, although the deputy left winger failed to get his foot it properly, it bounced past Stevenson into the far side of the net.
Clyde held a decided territorial advantage in the second half, and, despite the good work of the Aberdeen defence, would have taken the lead had their finishing been on a par with their outfield play.
Steve Smith in the Dons' goal was clean and confident in all did. He deserves a pat on the back for that last-minute save. All seemed lost when the 'keeper raced from his charge, daringly dived at Johnstone's feet and catapulted to safety with the ball clutched tightly under his arm.
Cooper was the better back. He tackled strongly and gave McCulloch, on the Clyde left, little scope.
McGill was not so reliable as usual. For once his positional sense was poor, and Douglas was a continual source danger.
Falloon was a tower strength in defence. Johnstone caused him a good deal of trouble in the opening stages, but, all over, the Irishman had the better of the argument.
Both Fraser and Thomson have been seen to better advantage. They worked hard in defence, but it was only for a short period in the first half that Fraser was seen at his best in a constructive capacity.

Attack Not Too Good.

The attack did not work well as a line, and far too often passes went astray. Armstrong was the "live wire," his electrifying dashes being a continual source of trouble to the Clyde defenders.
It was only at brief intervals that Mills revealed his smart ball control and clever distributive ability, while Moore, although he played with intelligence, did not seem to last the pace any too well.
Benyon could make nothing of the burly Smith (M.). and seldom threatened danger. Adam, who deputised for Ritchie Smith on the extreme left, tried hard, but did not seem at home in this position.
Clyde were fairly sound in defence. Stevenson in goal did what little was asked smartly, while Smith (M.) was a first-rate back. Kirk, too, played well, but was rather outshone by his partner.
Beaton and Mayes were a clever and progressive pair of halves.

Clyde's Weakness.

The home attack was fast, and combined well, but was palpably weak at close quarters. Chief honours in this department go to Hope and Douglas, two clever and dangerous forwards.
Johnstone, the centre, and Smith (G.), the former Buckie Thistle player who was at inside left, were triers, but were slow to get the ball under control near goal.

Source: Press & Journal, 25th March 1935