Aberdeen 1 - 2 Morton

Dogged perseverance on the part of Greenock Morton was a leading factor in enabling them to secure a victory at Aberdeen, where, however, the home team in the first period proved the superior lot. If Aberdeen could have kept up their early half form the result might have been in their favour. Fotheringham was easily the hardest-wrought man on the field in the first half, and he came through the ordeal with great credit, many of the shots he saved being hard to keep out. He could not be blamed for not stopping Hutton's penalty kick, so vigorously shot into the right hand corner of the net. Fotheringham was well supported by the backs, Buchanan and Orr. The Aberdeen players showed a remarkable falling-off in the second half, especially after McSevich had let through the equaliser from Gourlay - a grounder from twenty yards out, which the Aberdeen keeper misjudged. Then Wilson sent the ball across field from the right wing for French to score. Reid, the Aberdeen right winger, continued to work hard, as he had done all through the first half, and MacLachlan and Pirie stuck to their work to the end. For Morton, Jessieman, the left half-back, played a good game, and the best of the forwards were Wilson, Gordon, and French. There were about 10,000 spectators.

Source: The Scotsman, 28th September 1925

After sending their supporters into ecstasies on their previous home appearance, when they decisively trounced Rangers, Aberdeen on Saturday at Pittodrie provided Greenock Morton with their first victory of the season. The verdict, 2-1 in favour of Morton, belied the run of the game. At times in the first half Aberdeen overwhelmed the opposition, but their superiority was not reflected in goals. In a great measure they were defied by Fotheringham, who gave a brilliant display in the Morton goal, and by the dour defence of the Greenock backs, but the shooting and finishing of the Aberdeen forwards left a great deal to be desired. It was largely their fault that Aberdeen's interval lead was restricted to a penalty goal, scored by Hutton after Hyslop, the visitors' centre-half, had tripped Reid. Early in the second half mistakes allowed Gourlay to equalise. After that Aberdeen, although often attacking, never inspired confidence, and their discomfiture was completed when Wilson slipped away on the right to centre perfectly for French to head the winning goal for Morton about ten minutes from the close.
The feature of the game was the plucky recovery of Morton after appearing to be well beaten. Several of the Aberdeen players were palpably off form. Defects in defence would have been covered if the forwards could have shot with more direction and taken their chances. Certainly they were very unfortunate on several occasions, but they had the winning of the game in their power, and proved unequal to the occasion. McSevich was only fair in goal, and did not inspire confidence. Bruce was the better back, and in the half-back line Pirie and MacLachlan were best. In a forward line that showed occasional flashes of brilliance, Reid, and Walter Jackson were best, but the latter nullified his good work otherwise by failing to take several chances presented to him. Smith, on the left, was the poorest of the line. For Morton, Fotheringham distinguished himself with fine anticipation in goal, albeit he was very lucky on two occasions when Orr kicked clear after the goalkeeper had been beaten. Buchanan and Orr were plucky backs who did well after a shaky start. Jessiman was the best of the half-backs, and in attack Gourlay, Wilson, and French took the eye most. The estimated attendance was 10,000.

HUTTON'S PENALTY GOAL.

Morton made the more promising start, but were foiled by some fine defensive play by Bruce. Following a free kick by MacLachlan, Fotheringham saved a headed effort by Walter Jackson, and McSevich had to run out and pick up when the Greenock right threatened. Clever play by Reid put Aberdeen on the attack. McDermid shot past off the winger's cross, and later Fotheringham fielded an awkward high ball from Reid. A centre by Smith was headed clear by Hyslop, and at M'Sevich's end Graham missed badly when with only the 'keeper to beat he failed to meet a ground pass from French. Following this the Greenock goal underwent a series of narrow escapes. Walter Jackson dribbled through to shoot inches high, and followed this up with another fine effort, which came to grief when, tackled by Buchanan, he fell. Reid had a shot that went over, and Jackson twice tried from long range, only to see the ball miss the goal by narrow margins. Fotheringham was kept busy. At full length he saved finely from Reid and the latter and Walter Jackson came very near counting with shots that flashed wide of the mark. Aberdeen kept hammering the opposing defence. Walter Jackson delayed his shot on one occasion until he was tackled, and the ball was deflected over the top when a goal seemed imminent. In a raid by the Morton left, Jessiman, from long range, dropped the ball behind McSevich's charge, but Aberdeen returned to the attack. A claim for a penalty for "hands" against Orr was disallowed. Later Fotheringham missed a centre by W. K. Jackson, and the ball appeared to be going through when Orr kicked clear. After 35 minutes Aberdeen were awarded a penalty kick for Hyslop bringing down Reid, and Hutton easily scored from the spot. Fallowing this Smith centred, and Walter Jackson, a yard from the goal line with the ball at his feet, was twice baulked in quick succession by Orr. On another occasion the Aberdeen centre-forward endeavoured to link up a pass from behind and hook the ball in while on the run, but he missed. Later Walter Jackson and McDermid both had good shots, and following a corner kick the centre-forward headed narrowly over. Just on the Interval Orr got in the way of a ball that was going through with Fotheringham out of his goal.

SHOCKS FOR ABERDEEN

Morton resumed in brisk fashion, and in the opening stages Aberdeen, were seen mostly in a defensive capacity. They recovered, however, and Reid forced a corner, following which Smith shot wildly over. The Greenock forwards pursued their policy of liveliness, and twice Bruce repulsed dangerous movements until a pass by French was headed over by Gordon. After ten minutes' play, in which neither set of attackers had distinguished themselves, Gourlay from 30 yards' range sent in a ground shot to beat McSevich, who appeared be unsighted, and was late in getting down to meet.
Morton at this stage were having a bigger say in the argument and McSevich had to look lively to get hold of a header by Graham. Aberdeen got back on the attack, and after Orr had conceded a corner McDermid just missed with a fierce shot. Play quietened down considerably, but both defences were kept busy. McSevich had to save from Gourlay and twice had to run out and clear from onrushing forwards. Gourlay was a great worker in the Morton attack, and it took Hutton all his time to keep him in hand. After appearing submit to the inevitable Morton had recovered finely, and round about this time they were as dangerous as Aberdeen. It was left to Reid to get Aberdeen back on attack, and the outside right just missed with a capital effort on the run. There was little good play in the game, and the combination by either side was practically non-existent. It looked as if each was afraid of the other, so much attention did they pay to defence. Walter Jackson just failed to get his head to a centre by Smith, and the ball swerved behind.
Aberdeen again took up the offensive, and the Greenock defenders were fortunate to intercept several shots which might have beaten Fotheringham. A tendency to indulge in close play by the home forwards played into the hands of the Greenock defence, who were putting in a gruelling time. The Morton forwards were not idle, and the Aberdeen goal had a narrow escape when the ball was knocked out of McSevich's hands. Bruce, however, came to the rescue. In the incident McSevich was injured, and required attention, but, although limping was able to carry on. Aberdeen were taking things rather easily, and their slackness brought disaster in its train. Wilson broke away and centred finely, for French to give the Greenock team the lead with a header from close in. After this Aberdeen strove hard to equalise, but the visitors concentrated in front of goal, and shots were repeatedly stopped through striking defenders. Near the close Aberdeen made a desperate rally, and following a corner the ball was sent against the upright and quickly returned, only to be knocked out by Fotheringham.

Source: Press & Journal, 28th September 1925