Heart of Midlothian 2 - 1 Aberdeen

NICHOLSON SHINES FOR DONS

ROBEY'S INJURY UPSETS TEAM

There was little to choose between Hearts and Aberdeen at Tynecastle on Saturday.

Had the game ended in a draw the Edinburgh side would have had little cause for complaint.
Aberdeen played under a handicap for the greater part of the second half. Robey received severe ankle injury twelve minutes after the restart and had to take the left-wing berth.
This necessitated rearrangement of the left flank and upset the balance of the side. Ritchie Smith went to inside left. Mills to left half and Dunlop left back.

BRIGHT FIRST HALF

The best football was seen in the opening period. There were passages of brilliant play by both sets of attackers. Mills and Walker were outstanding during this period with their clever ball manipulation and ability to direct the line of attack.
The Dons opened the scoring in nineteen minutes with what proved to be the best goal of the match. Mills started the movement by slipping the ball through Robson's legs to Ritchie Smith. The winger transferred to George Scott, who sent the ball ahead for Armstrong to follow up and send into the net.
Thirty-three minutes had gone when Hearts drew level. Smart work by Biggs and Briscoe ended in Johnstone only partially clearing a try from the winger. Black was lying handy and scored without difficulty.

HEARTS MORE DANGEROUS

Play deteriorated in the second half and although Aberdeen fought spiritedly Hearts were the more dangerous combination. They got their winning goal in twenty minutes. Warren and Walker made ground and the inside right sent the ball through to Black, who beat Johnstone with a low shot.
Johnstone in the Aberdeen goal effected number of splendid saves, yet he seemed to falter when Hearts got their equaliser. Cooper was confident in his tackling and resolute in his kicking.
Robey was better than against East Fife, but he could not get a grip Briscoe. He did quite well when he went to outside left.

NO. 1 DEFENDER

Nicolson was again Aberdeen's No. 1 defender. He was more than a match for Biggs.
Fraser was a strong and virile right-half, and Dunlop put up a creditable performance both at half-back and at left back.
Mills was the cleverest and most effective of the forwards, but George Scott of the reserves, who was introduced at inside right, created a good impression. Not only was he smart on the ball but his distribution was good.
Armstrong took his goal well, but found Dykes difficult to elude. Charlie Smith on the right wing showed enterprise in the first half, but fell away later, while Ritchie Smith, who was opposed to Anderson, was never permitted to threaten any danger.

HEARTS' DEFENCE SOUND

Hearts were sound in defence. Waugh was well protected by Anderson and McClure. Dykes was a powerful pivot and "policed" the centre of the field with success.
Robson played a sound half-back game, while Walker was the star in attack. He roamed restlessly between the half-back and inside forward positions, and his forcing play kept the Aberdeen defence active.
Briscoe, his partner, responded well, and it was from this pair that most of the danger came. Black and Warren on the left did not meet with the same success, although the inside man scored the two goals that gave his side victory. Biggs was an unenterprising leader.

Source: Press & Journal, 14th March 1938