Motherwell 2 - 2 Aberdeen

Dons Take Most Credit From Game.

Two good but not brilliant teams describes Aberdeen and Motherwell on Saturday's display at Fir Park. The Dons take most credit from the game - they were on foreign soil, and had the additional handicap of being without two of their recognised first team players Fraser and Beynon.

Aberdeen played pretty but ineffective football in the first half. They worked too closely together, and the result was that the quick-tackling Motherwell defenders were on top.
After the interval the Dons commenced to swing the ball, with better results. Motherwell took the honours in the first half, and Aberdeen held the advantage in the second.

Early Shock.

Aberdeen got a shock when five minutes after the start, Motherwell took the lead. Blair slipped the ball to Stevenson, who in turn transferred to McFadyen.
The centre, lying unmarked, gathered the ball and cleverly beat Smith, who had left his charge in an effort to narrow the angle.
The equaliser came in twelve minutes. Armstrong was fouled just outside the penalty area. He took the kick himself, and his grounder landed in the net. It seemed that McClory was unsighted by his own players, who had lined up to block the free-kick.
Motherwell's second goal, scored in seventeen minutes, was a beauty. Stevenson collected a ball twenty-two yards out, and his raking drive went into the net like a shot from a gun. Smith managed to touch the ball with the tips his fingers, but could not prevent it entering the net.

Armstrong Gets Equaliser.

Twenty-eight minutes of the second period had gone ere the Dons' pressure was rewarded. McClory left his charge in an attempt to clear, and before he could return Warnock smartly lofted the ball into the goalmouth for Armstrong to whip it home, from two yards? range.
The Aberdeen defence was sound. To Cooper goes the honour of being the best back afield. He was the polished defender, and seldom has the clever Ferrier been seen to less advantage. McGill also played a hard game, although he found Ogilvie trifle elusive at the start. Smith, in goal, had a fairly quiet time.
The half line as a whole did not impress; there was too much loose passing by the wing halves.
Falloon was the best of the trio, his quick and fearless tackling making him invaluable in defence. He was caught napping when McFadyen scored the first goal, but subsequently he gave the home centre few opportunities to shine.
Thomson put in lot of work in defence, but was too seldom seen in an attacking capacity, while Gavin disappointed. The former Ashfield player was a tireless worker, but he never succeeded in subduing Stevenson, although let it be said the inside-left was the pick of the home forwards.

Attack Lacks Punch.

The attack was fast and clever in the outfield, but there was a lack of punch at close quarters.
Warnock made a good deputy for Beynon on the right, and gave the impression that with practice he would develop into a first class winger. Outside right was, of course, his original position.
Mills was handicapped by a head injury received after about half an hour's play. He collided with Wales, and both had assisted off. The Aberdeen player resumed with sticking plaster on his forehead, but Wales was absent for the remainder of the half, and had to have four stitches inserted in his wound. He resumed at outside-right, Ogilvie going to right half.
It is expected that Mills will be fit for Wednesday's international at Hampden.

Armstrong Tricky.

Armstrong was a tricky leader despite the close attentions of Blair, and McKenzie showed clever touches without being really dangerous.
Lang was seen at his best in the first half, when his speedy dashes up the wing caused the 'Well defence a good deal of trouble.
Ellis was the better of two good Motherwell backs, while Blair and McKenzie took the eye in a mediocre intermediate line.
Stevenson was the cleverest and most dangerous attacker, although Ogilvie was a fast and dangerous right winger in the first half.
Like the Aberdeen attack, however, that of Motherwell was not particularly impressive at close quarters.
Considering the warmth of the afternoon the player deserve credit for the manner in which they stuck into their work.

Source: Press & Journal, 19th August 1935