Aberdeen 2 - 2 Third Lanark

Aberdeen and Third Lanark divided the points at Pittodrie Park yesterday, each team having a couple of goals. Two of the goals, one on each side, were due to mistakes - Brown the Third Lanark left back, inadvertently putting the ball into his own goal, and Hutton through faulty clearing enabling Reid to send in a finely lofted shot from the right wing which slipped in just under the crossbar. Rankine with a header scored Aberdeen's second goal after seventeen minutes' play in the second half, and Third Lanark's other scorer was Blair, inside right. Over 5000 spectators witnessed a keenly contested match, in which however, Aberdeen had the greater share of the exchanges.

Source: The Scotsman, 14th February 1924

At Pittodrie yesterday a weakened Aberdeen team divided four goals with Third Lanark in a Scottish League game. The visitors had Cringan back at centre-half, but, consequent on the absence of Forsyth and Jackson, Aberdeen included Bruce and McBoyle from the reserve team. In a cold afternoon there were about 7000 spectators. The opening play favoured Third Lanark. Hutton charged down a shot by Walker, but the visitors kept up the pressure and, following a corner forced by Blair, Orr tested Blackwell with a hard drive from 30 yards range. Assisted by the breeze, Third Lanark kept the ball at Blackwell's end, and forced another corner, Cringan shooting wildly.
The Aberdeen defence continued be kept in hot water, and Hutton got plaudits when he stopped a movement by Reid and Blair. MacLachlan let Smith away, and the winger centred accurately. Grant got possession and returned the ball across the goal, but Rankin sent it about a foot wide of Jarvie's charge.
Smith returned to the attack, and got over another fine centre for Rankin to head into Jarvie's hands. Another raid, this time by the Cathkin left, brought out a corner, but Walker headed wide. Aberdeen were coming more into the game, and another fine run and centre by Smith resulted in Jarvie clearing from Miller's header. After 18 minutes Aberdeen took the lead in peculiar fashion. Smith in midfield swung the ball into the centre, and Millar in turn swept out to Grant, who made ground and centred. Paton just got his head on the ball and sent it against Brown, off whom it was deflected through the goal, the Cathkin right back in an attempt to save the situation actually sending the sphere into the back of the net.
Although they had been more dangerous, Aberdeen were lucky to take the lead, but they immediately set about deserve it. Miller from out on the left sent in a terrific shot which beat Jarvie all ends up, but the upright came to his rescue.
Keeping up the attack, the forwards repeatedly raided the visitors' territory, and Paton and Smith both had shots that went high.
Third Lanark rallied after this, and following a corner conceded by Bruce, there was a prolonged scrimmage in front of Blackwell, until the ball rolled out Smith, who relieved with a long run. Reid several times shot behind for Third Lanark when centres would have been more profitable to his side. A high shot by Walker gave Blackwell some bother, but relief was obtained by the whistle sounding for a foul by the centre forward. Close on the interval Third Lanark drew level. McGoldrick placed well from a corner, and BLAIR sent the ball hard into the roof of the net. After this Aberdeen were kept defending, and Blackwell had to jump to a high ball from Blair, but neither goalkeeper had serious work to deal with, and, at the interval, each team had scored once.

Second Half Keenness.

Aberdeen quickly forced a corner on resuming, and after a vigorous header by Rankin had missed narrowly, Miller was off the mark with a shot from a difficult angle. Following this Reid made progress, and while the home defence hesitated, Walker shot wide from easy position. For a time the exchanges favoured Third Lanark, and Blackwell just got the tips of his fingers to deflect a ball by Walker. The play of both teams was disjointed, and for a time big kicking kept Aberdeen on the attack, but Jarvie had little to do. Reid forced a comer for the Thirds, but nothing came of it, and the Aberdeen attack suddenly leapt into a state of activity. Miller hit the post with a fine shot, and later Rankin shot over. With 18 minutes gone Aberdeen took the lead. Smith placed well from a corner kick, and Rankin headed the ball home.
After this success Aberdeen had rather the better of the argument, and Miller came near to counting with 'cute shots. 1 The visitors were often in home territory, but Hutton. MacLachlan, and Dick defended so well that Blackwell was not troubled. At the other end, a great shot by Rankin was finely saved by Jarvie.
Some feeling crept into the game after this, and the exchanges were of the hefty order, with Aberdeen top dog. In a breakaway by the Cathkin forwards, Reid delivered a powerful shot, but Blackwell got rid of it nicely.
Later the Aberdeen goal was lucky to escape from Reid's shot. With five minutes to go, Reid met a weak clearance to loft the ball into goal, and it completely deceived Blackwell. In the closing stages both teams strove for the lead, but there was no further scoring. Outstanding for Aberdeen were Hutton, Dick, Rankin, and Smith, and for Third Lanark, Orr, McKenna, Mclnally, and Reid.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 14th February 1924