Aberdeen 3 - 1 Dundee

Aberdeen excelled themselves in winning the match against Dundee by 3 goals to 1. The great feature of the match was the rapidity with which Aberdeen secured the first two goals shortly after the start. The first of them was as the result of a piece of cool dribbling right into the net by R. Bruce, who occupied the centre forward position, after he had outwitted both the backs and also the custodian, Marsh, while the second was from a drive by Love, who was quick to take advantage of a back-kick from Bruce. This gave Aberdeen the lead by 2 goals to 1 at half time, Dundee's goal coming as the result of a well0directed shot from the centre-forward, Smith. The third goal to Aberdeen came as the result of a penalty kick taken by Love, Ross having brought down Bruce as the latter was about to shoot within the penalty area. The Aberdeen players fully deserved their victory, and it was only the brilliance of Marsh between the posts which prevented the score against Dundee being larger than it was. Marsh's goalkeeping was superior, and he saved very smartly on several occasions. Others who figured prominently were the left back, Gilmour, McNab, the right half-back, Cook, the left winger, and Smith, centre-forward. For Aberdeen the outstanding players were Jackson, right back, McHale, centre-half, Black, whose constructive play at right half was a feature, R. Bruce, the centre-forward, and the right-winger, Love. Fifteen thousand spectators greatly enjoyed the fast match, full of remarkable incidents.

Source: The Scotsman, 3rd January 1928

Dundee were soundly beaten at Pittodrie on Monday. It may be argued that the Dens Park team was weakened by the absence of Brown and Crawford. I do not think so, for Ross and Townrow were the two best defenders Dundee had. Here again, we were treated to another fine display of goalkeeping by Marsh, but for whom Dundee must have been beaten by more than 3-1. This Derby was quite up to the standard of former New Year meetings between these old rivals. Interest in the game was maintained from start to finish, and it was satisfactory to note that the play was free from questionable tactics.

A Hurricane Start

The Dons were two goals up in ten minutes. The first point registered by "Bobby" Bruce was as fine a goal as one could wish to see. Cheyne gathered the ball about midfield. With the Dundee centre-half approaching him, he immediately slammed the ball ahead of Bruce. Marsh came out to meet it, but the Aberdeen centre got there first, rounded the Dundee keeper, and walked the ball into the net. The cheering had scarcely subsided when Love scored a second goal. He also got the third point from a penalty in the closing minutes. Thus Love has scored four goals in his last three games, one against Motherwell, another against the Amateurs, and two against Dundee. A splendid record for a wing man. Had Smith been in shooting form against Dundee, he might easily have had a couple of goals as well.
One can?t help thinking, however, that the Dundee attack rather below the strength of former Dundee forward lines, Cook and O'Hare were the best of a moderate line, but when Troup's successor was injured, the visiting van was rather easily held.
Blackwell had not a very trying time in the Aberdeen goal, but Jackson and Livingstone were good backs. The former may not have been very considerate in his tackling of Cook, but his intention was to give the little fellow as little scope as possible, and he succeeded in this object. Livingstone impressed by his coolness and timely kicking. Black was the best of a good middle division, while chief honours went to Love and Bruce in attack. Bruce was a much better leader on Monday than on Saturday. From two of his passes, Smith should have scored. Cheyne did many clever things, and with a little more punch he would be a very dangerous forward.

Source: Bon-Accord, 7th January 1928

In a thrilling encounter at Pittodrie, Aberdeen defeated Dundee by 3 goals to 1, and 15,000 spectators enjoyed every minute of the game. Aberdeen scored after 11 minutes, when Bruce followed up a pass down the centre to round the advancing Marsh and tip the ball into an untenanted goal. Two minutes later. McDermid let Smith away, and from the latter's centre Love sent the ball into the net from close range. Dundee scored thirteen minutes from the interval, when following a corner kick, McNab headed against the upright, and Smith met the rebound to beat Blackwell. Aberdeen?s third goal did not come until three minutes from the close, when after Ross, the Dundee right back, had handled, Love converted a penalty kick.

Exciting Exchanges

The first half was more evenly contested than the second. Early on, Cook hit the crossbar with a ball that beat Blackwell, and in a mix up in the ensuing scrimmage, it was claimed that Livingstone had handled, but the referee decided otherwise. Later the Dundee centre-forward attempted to back-heel the ball into the net, but Livingstone intercepted. After this Aberdeen attacked with great vigour. Marsh saved brilliantly from Love, and following upon Black shooting high, the home team scored twice in quick succession. At the other end a shot by Bruce cannoned off Gilmour and hit the top of the crossbar. The home left winger was brought down, and following the free kick, Marsh fisted out for Love to shoot and Gilmour headed clear from below the bar. End to end play followed until Smith scored for Dundee, after which Aberdeen were again on top. Bruce had a terrific shot deflected against the bar by Marsh, but the Dundee centre-forward just missed the goal when "first-time" he met a centre by Godfrey. Later a shot by Cook eluded Blackwell, but Godfrey failed to catch on with the keeper lying on the ground. Aberdeen subsequently made the running until the interval, Smith, Bruce, and Love all failing at comparatively easy chances after brilliant outfield play.

LOVE'S PENALTY GOAL.

In the second half Marsh was early in action to efforts by Love and Black, and later he fell on top of a great shot by Bruce. Smith had a chance for Aberdeen, but sent against Marsh's leg, and following this the Dundee goalkeeper saved brilliantly from Love, Bruce, and Ross. In a breakaway by Dundee, Godfrey gave Smith an open goal, but the centre-forward delayed and later banged the ball against McHale. At the other end Marsh stopped an overhead hook by Bruce. Love shot against the post, and after Marsh had tipped a ball from Cheyne over the top, Smith with open goal hit the post, and later to crash against the outside of the net also from favourable position. A case of "hands" by a Dundee defender was not detected officially. Play ruled greatly in favour of Aberdeen, and Smith again hit the post when a goal seemed imminent. Marsh continued to distinguish himself in the Dundee goal, but had no chance with Love's terrific penalty kick. In the last minute Bruce got through for Aberdeen, but shot straight at the visiting goalkeeper. Dundee finished with ten men, Cook (injured) having retired two minutes from the close, but his absence did not affect the result, and Aberdeen were worthy winners.

Source: Press & Journal, 3rd January 1928