Heart of Midlothian 3 - 2 Aberdeen

The Dons have played worse and fared better than they did at Tynecastle on Saturday. To be beaten by the odd goal by a team of the calibre of Hearts is no disgrace.

After all, the Edinburgh side have retained practically all of their first-team players, and the inclusion of Baxter, the Middlesbrough and Scottish, centre-half, has strengthened the side.
Johnstone, Cooper and Thomson were the only recognised members of the first team who turned out for Aberdeen, and Cooper, injured early in the second half, went to outside left, ultimately having to retire.
The left back has injured his ankle and knee and may be off for a week or two. It is fortunate that Aberdeen have secured the services of Anderson, who turned out at left half at Tynecastle. He played left back for Brentford.

HEARTS BETTER BALANCED

Hearts could not be grudged the points. They were the better balanced team. They had one serious fault, however, their finishing was poor.
Johnstone played well in goal for Aberdeen, and Cooper was the most polished back afield until he was injured. Scott was the best of the half-back trio, although both Thomson and Anderson played useful games.
Williams and Ferguson on the left took the honours in attack. Williams was the more dangerous and had both goals.
Anderson was the better of two moderate Hearts' backs. Baxter played a cool, calculating game at centre half, and Garrett and Philips were outstanding in attack. The centre was fast and dangerous. He was unlucky not to get his hat-trick.

OPENING GOAL

Garrett opened the scoring for Hearts in ten minutes, when he cut through the Aberdeen defence and sent the ball into the net as Johnstone left his charge.
Nine minutes later Williams put the Dons on level terms. He took the ball in from the wing and beat both Anderson and Blyth before netting. Three minutes from the interval Stevenson left his charge to make a poor clearance, and before he could return the left winger sent home again.
Just before the whistle Garrett put the teams on level terms.
The winning goal came seventeen minutes after the restart. Cooper had been injured by this time and the Aberdeen team reorganised. Donaldson made ground on the left, and when he crossed Briscoe was Iying unmarked and guided the ball into the net.

Source: Press & Journal, 18th December 1939