St. Johnstone 1 - 1 Aberdeen

PERTH MATCH OF CONTRASTS

DONS' DEFENCE MUST BE STRONGER

Neither team deserved full points in the First Division League match at Muirton Park, Perth: To Aberdeen fell the most and easiest scoring chances, but on play St Johnstone held the advantage.

Both sets of attackers showed bad judgment in their finishing. Although enthusiasm rather than skill marked the exchanges, interest was maintained by the fact that both goals had thrilling escapes.
For the first half-hour play for the most part was in the vicinity of the Aberdeen goal, and had the Perth forwards been able to deliver the final blow they would have held more than single goal lead.
Just how decisive was the Saints' territorial advantage at this stage may be judged from the fact that during the first quarter of an hour Wylie handled the ball only twice ?once from a pass back from Moulds and from a long effort from McGill.
St Johnstone took the lead at the end of fifteen minutes, but, previous to this, the Dons' goal was lucky to escape when McLaren had the ball in the net after Tennant had struck the post, and the point was disallowed for offside.

EFFECTIVE WORK

The opening goal came as the result of smart work by Howe. McLaren got his head to the winger's cross, and McGill, in attempting to clear, sent the ball against the upright, from which it rebounded into the net.
Before the Dons drew level their goal had another remarkable escape when Caskie crashed the ball against the underside of the crossbar, and McLaren raced in to head narrowly over from the rebound.
The Dons equalised ten minutes from the interval, when Wylie palmed down a shot by Scott, and Warnock fastened on to send the ball past the prostrate 'keeper into the net.
After the interval the exchanges were of a more even nature, both goals being visited in turn. Aberdeen should have taken the lead when Wylie dropped a long clearance by McGill. Armstrong gathered the ball and when he sent against the post from an acute angle Strauss, who had taken up position in the middle, fastened on to send against the woodwork from close range.
For a spell following this St Johnstone pressed persistently, and the Dons were hard put to it to retain equality. Towards the end the Dons rallied and Strauss might have snatched the winning goal from cross by Devine. The South African was lying unmarked, but sent high over.

DEFENCE WEAK

This match served to emphasise that the Aberdeen defence requires strengthening. Too often the backs were beaten, and but for the fact that Falloon, in particular, and Johnstone in a lesser degree were in excellent form, the Dons might not have secured a point.
McGill was outclassed by Caskie and could not get a firm grip of the winger, while Newton, although he played hard, showed a poor positional sense, and his kicking was weak. Falloon was far and away Aberdeen s best defender. He "policed" McLaren effectively and time and again he veered to right or left to intercept the winger after the back had been beaten.
Thomson was the best wing half. He was ever-prominent in defence, but he spoiled his play in attack to a great extent by faulty distribution. Fraser's forcing work was missed at right half. Devine was enthusiastic but lacked the experience and craft of the regular right half.
The attack took too long to settle, and too many chances were allowed to slip. Armstrong is missing Mills, and although he showed smart footwork he did not receive enough support to be really dangerous.

SCOTT IMPROVED

Willie Scott played one of his best games since being promoted to the first team. He was strong and forceful in attack, especially in the second half, when he caused the Perth defence a good deal of trouble. McKenzie's play was below standard. His work on the ball left little to be desired, but he seldom parted to advantage.
Strauss was disappointing. He was speedy on the wing and quick to take up position, but the Strauss of last season would have turned to advantage two at least of the scoring chances which came his way. Warnock on the right, although a trifle lacking in strength, played well in the first half, but rarely took the eye after the interval.
St Johnstone were far from being brilliant side and, like Aberdeen, have problems in defence and attack. It seemed that Wylie might have done better than palm out that try of Scott's which led to the equalising goal. Apart from that the Perth 'keeper played well.

Source: Press & Journal, 14th October 1937