Aberdeen 0 - 0 Motherwell

COLOURLESS DISPLAY AFTER PARKHEAD

JOHNSTONE'S GREAT SAVE

Aberdeen will probably never come nearer losing two points than they did against Motherwell at Pittodrie on Saturday., A minute from the end McCulloch switched over a cross from the left. The ball dropped, at the feet of Ogilvie, who was lying unmarked. The right winger steadied himself and sent in terrific shot which Johnstone saved brilliantly.
The Dons' failure to win this game came as a big disappointment following their splendid victory over Celtic Parkhead. They were but shadow of the team that beat the champions. As the score of 0-0 suggests, the defences held sway.

ATTACKS DISAPPOINT

Perhaps the most notable feature of the game was the impoverished displays of the respective forward lines. Both are regarded as being strong in this department, but there was little cohesion and thrust about either on Saturday.
It was difficult to believe that the same Aberdeen attack had given a scintillating display against Celtic. They never settled down, allowing themselves to be completely knocked out of their stride by a first-time Motherwell defence.
The visitors have to thank their defence for the fact that they shared the points, and, in particular, have they to thank Blair and Ellis. It was this pair that put the brake on the Dons' attacking machine.
There was little to choose between the teams in the first half, but the best scoring chance fell to Aberdeen. Strauss broke clear on the left, and when he crossed Warnock came racing in, but failed to get the ball with his head, and it bounced away from goal off his shoulder.
There were two thrills in the opening minutes of the second half. Hesitation "lost Strauss a chance from a cross from Warnock, Frame smothering the South African's shot. At the other end Cooper and Nicholson left the ball to one another, and Stewart dashed in to shoot. Johnstone, at full length, pushed the ball out, and Bremner sent past.
For a time Aberdeen held the upper hand, but although the Motherwell defence wavered it did not fall. Frame saved smartly from Warnock and Armstrong, but there was not enough incisiveness about the home forwards.

INVALUABLE SAVE

Johnstone in the Aberdeen goal had little to do, but that last-minute save from Ogilvie was invaluable. Cooper was a good right back. He never faltered, and his tackling and kicking were first-rate. Adey, his partner, had poor game. He lacked confidence in the tackle and did not position himself well.
Nicholson was an effective centre half. He kept a good grip of the lively Stewart, and little danger threatened down the middle. Dunlop pulled his weight, and tried hard to keep in touch with his forwards, but Thomson on the other flank met with little success.
The attack lacked originality. When they saw that the way was barred down the middle they should have opened up play. Armstrong could not elude the ever-alert Blair and never threatened danger, while McKenzie, although he worked hard, met with little success.
Hamilton and Warnock on the right were the best of the forwards, but it was only in the second half that the extreme winger. took the eye. Strauss on the left seems to have lost confidence. He gave Grant little trouble.
Motherwell were well worth the point. They were quicker on the ball than the Dons, although the finishing of their forwards was no more effective than Aberdeen's. Blair and Ellis were their outstanding players, but McKenzie deserves a word of praise for the manner in which he forced on play.
Ogilvie and Bremner on the right wing were smart combination, and would have been very dangerous had their finishing been on par with their outfield play. Stewart had difficult task against Nicholson, but tried hard, and Stevenson worked hard in defence as well as attack.

Source: Press & Journal, 5th September 1938