Heart of Midlothian 1 - 2 Aberdeen

Home Record Broken in Last Match of Season

ABERDEEN WORTH THE POINTS

It was a sad blow to Hearts to lose the distinction of being the only team in the First Division with an unbeaten home record in their concluding fixture. The Dons fought splendidly throughout, and could not grudged their victory.

There was not a great deal between the teams, but the Dons always gave the impression of being the more likely combination, and they were quicker to seize their chances.
Hearts failed to take full advantage of a strong wind in the first half, and their lack of finishing power may be gauged from the fact that their solitary goal came from a penalty.

Dons Hard Pressed

During the first fifteen minutes Aberdeen were hard pressed, but they weathered the storm and gradually gained confidence.
They fought back and deserved to be on level terms at half-time. After the interval they held the advantage, and had their finishing been of the same standard as their outfield play they would have won more decisively.
Hearts were without the services of Robson for the greater part of the second half. Robson was injured in the first period and changed places with Munro, but retired after the interval. It is doubtful if his absence affected the result.

Penalty Goal

The homesters took the lead in thirty-five minutes. Russell was going through on his own when pulled down in the penalty area by Thomson and Walker made no mistake with the spot-kick.
Four minutes later Aberdeen were on level terms. Thomson placed a free-kick in the goalmouth, and Mills nipped in to guide the ball into the net.
The winning goal came fifteen minutes after the start of the second half. Beynon raced away on the left and Armstrong; dashed forward meet the winger's cross with his head to send the ball into the net off the underside the crossbar.
The Aberdeen defence put up a splendid display, especially in the opening period. Smith had a number of excellent saves, while Cooper served up one of his best displays this season.

Urquhart's Serviceable Game

Urquhart, who deputised for McGill at left back, played a serviceable game. The former Hibs player is a rugged and fearless defender, but inclined to be a trifle impetuous. He excellent an excellent header of the ball.
Falloon shared the honours in defence with Cooper. The Irishman was responsible for the breaking-up of many of the Hearts' attacking movements, and was quick to go to the assistance of his backs.
Aberdeen had two hard-working wing halves in Fraser and Thomson. They were not perhaps so prominent as usual in attack, but they were sound in defence. Thomson was handicapped by a head injury received in collision with Walker in the second half.
McKenzie had evidently made up his mind to do well against his old team. He was clever on the ball, and had he been able to finish his outfield he would have had goals.
Armstrong distributed play well and took his goal neatly, while Mills, although obviously suffering from the injury received against Fulham earlier in the week, did much valuable work.

Wingers Work Hard Anderson was Hearts' No. 1 defender. He rarely failed to get the ball in tackle, and his kicking was clean and accurate. Although not so confident as his partner, McClure was a sound defender.
Reid confined himself to defence, but the wing halves, and especially Russell, combined defence and attack with judgment.
Walker was the most polished forward. Clever on the ball and the possessor of a dangerous shot, he required careful watching.
Munro was smart on the ball and was quick to shoot, and Murray on the right caught the eye with some neat crosses, but Battles was too well held by Falloon to be dangerous.

Source: Press & Journal, 27th April 1936