Motherwell 2 - 1 Aberdeen

ABERDEEN NEVER ON MARK

ELLIS SHINES FOR MOTHERWELL

Aberdeen were not sufficiently equipped in power and skill to beat Motherwell at Fir Park. At the end of the first half the Dons looked as if they might make a draw of it, but at no time did they look like winning. Motherwell were far from being a championship side, and they won because Ogilvie, their right winger, seized two chances that came his way.

DEFENCES SUPERIOR

It was game in which the defences proved superior to the attacks, but then, neither set of forwards would have gained any medals for their efforts at goal-scoring. The feature of the match was the strong defensive play of the respective half-back lines.
The Dons are missing badly the services of Mills, Strauss and McKenzie. The forwards who did duty on Saturday were smart enough individually, but did not possess the cohesion and thrust necessary to make them a match-winning combination.
They seldom threatened any real danger and McArthur in the Motherwell goal was called upon to deal with few direct shots. Aberdeen's solitary counter came, not from one of the forwards, but from Blair, who accidentally turned the ball past his own 'keeper.
It was a game which provided few thrills. Motherwell had more of the play in the first half, but during the first quarter of an hour neither 'keeper was called into action except to clear loose balls.
McGillivray had one splendid chance for the home team near the end of the half, when he was left in possession by Ogilvie, and delayed his shot so long that Cooper was able to rush across and clear.

OGILVIE'S GOALS

Fourteen minutes of the second period had gone when Motherwell took the lead Ogilvie gathered a cross from McCulloch, and his shot from an acute angle struck Johnstone on the arm before entering the net.
With twenty-eight minutes gone the right winger got a second goal. When .Johnstone scrambled out a corner by McCulloch, and McGill sent the ball out to the right attempting to clear, Ogilvie fastened on to drive into the net.
Four minutes later came Aberdeen's goal. Thomson held the ball while the Motherwell defence was manoeuvring for offside, and then sent out to Willie Scott. Lang met the right winger's cross first time, but his shot was going across the goalmouth when Blair deflected it into the roof of the net.
The Dons might have equalised near the close after Armstrong had taken the extreme right wing berth, and Scott (W.) the centre forward position. Lang crossed a fine ball, and Thomson was waiting for it in the goalmouth, when Brady dived forward to head narrowly past.

DEFENCE STEADY

The Aberdeen defence played fairly well. Johnstone was a cool and capable keeper, and Cooper was a sure tackler and gave McCulloch little rope.
McGill was making his first appearance in the League side since he was dropped after the corresponding match last February. He was made to look a trifle slow by the speedy Ogilvie, but stuck grimly to his task.
Aberdeen's main strength lay at halfback. Fraser gave a splendid display in defence, and was never slow to urge on the attack. He was the best middleman afield.
Thomson gives promise of recovering his best form. On Saturday he was effective in defence, and towards the end of the game forced on play in an effort to save a point. Falloon was sound in defence and kept a good grip of McGillivray, Motherwell's reserve centre-forward, who was deputising for Stewart.
Armstrong was the best of poor forward line. The centre worked hard to openings, but got little support. Willie Scott, considering he was opposed to the best back afield, did not play badly, although he was seldom dangerous.

BRADY IMPETUOUS.

George Scott was smart on the ball, but found his lack of speed a handicap, and Brady wasted good work by being over-impetuous. Lang on the extreme left gave the impression that had he received more of the ball he would have been dangerous.
Motherwell are not likely to gain championship honours on this display. Their defence was sound, but their attack failed to knit together and lacked finishing power.
The outstanding personality of the game was Ellis, the left back. He gave a brilliant display. In the air or on the ground he cleared with equal facility. McArthur in goal had an easy time, while Grant, although outshone by Ellis, was safe.
In Wales and McKenzie Motherwell had a pair of first-class wing halves, who were effective alike in defence and attack. Blair, although he conceded a goal, was a strong centre-half.
Ogilvie was the most dangerous forward. Stevenson was not at his best, but took the eye occasionally with neat footwork, while Bremner was strong on the ball, but shot recklessly.

Source: Press & Journal, 20th September 1937