Queens Park 1 - 1 Aberdeen

GEO. SCOTT'S GOAL AGAINST AMATEURS ONE OF SEASON'S BEST,/p>

McGILL'S INJURY UPSETS CO-ORDINATION, BUT FORWARDS FECKLESS,/p> But for the fact that McGill was injured early in the second half, necessitating a rearrangement of the Aberdeen left flank, the Dons would probably have won at Hampden last night. As it was, a draw did neither side an injustice.

It was Aberdeen's last away fixture. The feature of the game was the goals. Both were well taken, and provided the game with its only touch of distinction. George Scott's equaliser was one of the best goals scored by an Aberdeen player this season. The inside-right beat two men before finding the net with a grand drive.
The best play was seen in the first half. The Amateurs had wind advantage, but they depended too much on big kicking. Aberdeen, on the other hand, indulged in the close-passing game and provided some neat football.
On level terms at the interval, it was expected that the Dons would get goals after the change over, but the injury to McGill upset the balance of the team.
Play deteriorated to a great extent during this period, and the finishing of both forward lines was uninspired.
Aberdeen's defence played well. Johnstone in goal had more to do than White, but performed well. He was afforded excellent protection by Cooper and Nicholson, although the centre-half had to be on his toes to keep Martin in check.
Fraser and Thomson were hard-working half-backs, and the left half put up a good display when he went to full back.
Armstrong played well at centre forward, and with better support would have got goals. Mackenzie had sound constructive ideas, and was the most consistent marksman.
Queen's Park were best served in defence by Dickson, Hosie and Buchanan, while in attack Martin. Christie, and Kinghorn took the eye most.

SOON IN ARREARS

Five minutes after the start the Dons were a goal in arrears. A Queen's Park attack on the right brought a foul against Thomson. Martin cleverly headed Kinghorn's free kick past Johnstone.
Aberdeen almost got on level terms following a sweeping combined attack, in which Charlie Smith, Armstrong and George Scott took part. McKenzie picked up the inside right's slip and, after jockeying for position, brought White to full length with a grand drive.
Following a spell of end-to-end play the Dons made another determined bid to draw level, and Charlie Smith was twice held up by Dickson, but on the second occasion managed to get the ball to Fraser. The right half saw his first shot blocked, but a second attempt went narrowly over.
Aberdeen had strong spell of pressure. but although the half-backs and forwards worked well together the Hampden defence managed to keep the forwards at bay. The only real test White had was try from George Scott.
Queen's Park almost got a second goal in unexpected fashion. It started with a hefty clearance by Dickson. The ball went to Kinghorn, and when the winger crossed Johnstone had to make a good save from a header from Nicholson as the centre-half attempted to clear.
A combined movement by Kyle. Martin, and Christie ended in the little inside left sending against the cross-bar from the inside right position. The Amateurs were forcing the pace now, and Kinghorn shook off a challenge by McGill to bring Johnstone to full length with a fierce drive.

EQUALISER,/p> Just on the interval the Dons drew level. Ritchie Smith was held up on the left and parted to George Scott. The inside-right was twice tackled, but beat his man cleverly on both occasions and finished with grand left foot drive which left White helpless.
Aberdeen almost took the lead on the restart when Armstrong headed on a ball and followed up quickly. The centre hooked the ball past White, and it was travelling into the net when Bonomy rushed across and kicked clear.
The Dons, with the advantage of the wind, forced the pace, and a header Armstrong from a cross by Scott was only inches high.
With fourteen minutes played McGill was injured and went to the left wing. Thomson went to left back, McKenzie to half, and Ritchie Smith to inside-left. Although Aberdeen had the balance of play, they had little to show for it, White being all too seldom in action. The keeper was lucky on one occasion, however, when he dropped a hard drive from McKenzie and saved at the second attempt.
Towards the end Queen's Park made a bold bid for the winning goal.
When Martin chased a ball to the bye line and cut it into the middle, real danger threatened, but Johnstone shot out a foot to bring off a lucky clearance.
In the closing minutes there was an appeal for a penalty when Browning was brought down by Cooper, but the referee made no sign.

Source: Press & Journal, 6th April 1938