Aberdeen 6 - 1 Albion Rovers

Most Substantial Victory of Season: Goal Record

BAD BLOW FOR ALBION ROVERS

Aberdeen wound up their home fixtures in fine style on Saturday. They registered their most substantial victory of the season, and incidentally set up a new goal-scoring record.

This defeat was a severe blow to Albion Rovers, who are in no little danger of relegation. They were no match for the Dons, who both in team-work and individual skill were far ahead the Coatbridge men.
The Rovers' only reason for complaint was that they did not score more than one goal, and in this respect they had themselves to blame in no small measure. Certainly Dame Fortune frowned on them once or twice, but there were several occasions in the second half when excellent scoring chances were allowed to slip.
Aberdeen were never in difficulties. They were a confident combination, while the Rovers' play always suggested that the relegation bogey lay heavily upon them. Nowhere was the disparity between the teams more obvious than in attack. The Pittodrie forward-line displayed fine cohesion and thrust, while that of Albion Rovers was ragged and unenterprising.

Aberdeen Open Scoring

Nine minutes after the start Aberdeen took the lead. McKenzie let Warnock away on the right and the winger slipped the ball through for Armstrong to the net. Three minutes later Rovers drew level. Smith left his charge but failed to c!ear a McPhee cross, and Dudley slammed the ball into the net.
The visitors did not long enjoy equality. A minute later Warnock broke through on the right, beat Beath and Bruce, and swept the ball into the middle for Armstrong to score with ease. Mills got the third goal in eighteen minutes, thanks to a neat slip by Armstrong after the centre had accepted a pass from Beynon.
Albion Rovers were more lively in the second half, and early on the home goal had two narrow escapes. With Smith out of his charge McGill cleared a sure counter by Rice, and before the 'keeper could return Falloon, on the goal-line, headed over a try by McPhee.
In Aberdeen's next attack Mills attempted to go through on his own from a Beynon slip. Challenged by Gourlay, the inside left lost possession, but Armstrong nipped in to send into an empty goal.
In twenty-one minutes Armstrong gathered a Beynon pass, and raced between the backs to give Gourlay no chance.
Following this Dudley and Rice missed first-class opportunities, while later Grant was unlucky to strike the post with Smith out his charge.
Aberdeen's sixth goal came near the end as the result of a penalty. Armstrong was going through when he was tripped, and Thomson made no mistake with the spot-kick.

Falloon Dominant

Aberdeen's defence was kept fairly busy in the second half, but was rarely in difficulties.
Smith, in goal, was too prone to leave his charge, and did not impress. Cooper and McGill played strongly, but the outstanding figure in defence was Falloon, who dominated the centre of the field.
Fraser combined defence and attack effectively, while Thomson, although perhaps not as prominent as usual, got through a good deal of work.
The forwards were clever and thrustful. Armstrong led the line well, and took his goals neatly. He was always on the alert, and gave Bruce, the opposing centre-half, an anxious afternoon.
Armstrong received first-rate support from Mills and McKenzie, a pair of clever and enterprising inside forwards. The understanding which existed between the three inside forwards caused the Coatbridge defence a great deal of trouble.
Beynon and Warnock, on the extreme wings, were fast and dangerous raiders. Three of Armstrong's goals came from passes from one or the other of this pair.

Plucky Rovers Defence

The Albion Rovers' defence deserves credit for a plucky display. They were overworked, and could not subdue the Aberdeen attack, but they were well imbued with the never-say-die spirit. Miller was the better back, while in a mediocre half-line, which was mostly confined to defence, Anderson was most prominent.
The attack was keen, but never struck a happy combination, and, except for a spell in the second half, was well held by the home defence. Dudley and Grant were most prominent. The left-winger was fast and clever, and his partner was strong and forceful.

Source: Press & Journal, 13th April 1936