Arbroath 1 - 4 Aberdeen

Superior Play Defeats Arbroath 4-1 at Gayfield

SCOTT GETS TWO GOALS: STRAUSS & BEYNON SCORE OTHERS

Aberdeen gained a decisive 4-1 victory over Arbroath at Gayfield last night. The Dons were deserving winners, being more solid in defence and more mobile and craftier in attack.

Three thousand Aberdeen "fans" made the journey by road and rail, and the game had a real cup-tie flavour.
With the advantage of a cross breeze Arbroath fought vigorously in the first half, but the Dons were always a confident company, and when they took the lead four minutes from the interval the writing was on the wall.
After the change-over Aberdeen were definitely on top, and although the "Red Lichties" never gave up hope, they were well beaten in the end.

Capable Defence

The Dons' defence was hard pressed at times, but generally proved capable of dealing with the Arbroath attacks. Smith was a confident 'keeper, and made several smart clearances. The marking of Cooper, McGill and Falloon was excellent. Although opposed to a clever and dangerous winger in Lowe, McGill played steadily throughout, and Cooper, too, gave little away.
Aberdeen held an advantage at half-back. Thomson and Dunlop were sound In defence, and often took part in the attacking movements. Falloon was always prominent, bringing off smart clearances with head and feet.

Quick and Clever

The attack was quick and clever throughout. Scott showed an improvement on previous displays. He was a willing worker, and his second goal was a well-taken point.
Strauss was as dangerous as ever. He has a remarkable turn of speed and a powerful shot. His goal demonstrated both to perfection. He also had a hand in two of the other counters.
Cumming was a good keeper for Arbroath, and Becci the better of two never-say-die backs. Duff was a fine defensive centre-half, and in attack none did better than Lowe. Brand was a nippy little leader and Adam an energetic inside-right.

Strauss Nets

Aberdeen kicked off against the breeze, and Strauss cut in and sent past from twenty yards.
Devlin and Lynch broke away on the home left with a neat inter-passing movement. Falloon was beaten, but Cooper stopped a dangerous situation. Adam gained possession and shot hurriedly so that the ball flew wide.
Strauss had the ball in the net following smart work by McKenzie and Beynon, but the referee gave offside.
A splendid slip by McKenzie let Beynon through, and Cumming was lucky to intercept the winger's pass with his foot. Cumming was again called into action to deal with an awkward header from Strauss off a Dunlop cross.
In Arbroath's next attack Adam fired in an unexpected touchline drive, and Smith knocked it down with his arm and kicked into touch.
A smart piece of ball manipulation in the goalmouth almost brought reward. The inside right quickly drew the ball back from the foot of an opponent and then shot for the corner of the net, only to see the ball deflected for a fruitless corner.
Strauss smartly beat Fordyce to a Scott lob and cut down the middle to drive narrowly past.
McKenzie gave the crowd something to shout about when he shot fiercely with his left foot and touched the ball over for a corner.
Four minutes from the interval Aberdeen took the lead. Strauss sent the ball across to the right from midfield, and McKenzie gathered in fine style. Carrying it forward he sent over to Scott, who, lying unmarked, banged it into the net.

Two Corners

Aberdeen forced two corners at the start of the second half, but these were not improved upon. Things looked dangerous on the Dons' left when McGill nipped in to clear. Strauss made a great effort to break through from a Mills pass and looked like succeeding when Becci nipped across to fend him off while Cumming cleared. In the Dons' next attack, first Scott and then Strauss sent against the crossbar.
Brand almost did the trick from a Lowe cross, the ball going narrowly past. Arbroath made several dangerous raids on the right and Smith, in goal, distinguished himself with save from a Devlin corner.
Nineteen minutes after the restart Aberdeen secured a second goal. Scott gained possession in his own half of the field and sent it hard up the middle. Strauss was after the ball like a flash, and, beating the back for speed, he ran in to give Cumming no chance.
With eleven minutes to go the Dons made the issue secure with a third goal.
Strauss gained possession on the left and swung the ball into the centre for Scott to first-time it into the net - a well-taken goal.
Arbroath fought back stubbornly, and, following smart play by Lynch, Brand almost took Smith by surprise with a deft flick.
Four minutes from the end Aberdeen got a fourth goal. In a goalmouth scrimmage MIIIs slipped the ball out to Beynon and the winger whisked it into the net from close range.
Less than a minute later Arbroath reduced the leeway when Brand headed home a cross from Lowe.

Source: Press & Journal, 10th September 1936