Aberdeen 6 - 0 Clyde

Clyde's six goal defeat by Aberdeen at Pittodrie scarcely gives a fair indication of the West f Scotland team's play, which in the first period certainly merited something in the way of scoring. There were periods when the pressure was very severe, and it was only the inability at close quarters to force the ball into the net which accounted for Clyde's failure. And Blackwell?s goalkeeping was very good. Aberdeen, however, were by far the better team, and at times outplayed their opponents. It should be pointed out that Gribban, the Clyde inside-right forward, was hurt early in the second period and was not able to do much for his side afterwards. The best for Clyde were Fraser, Blair, Young, Hood, and Hassan, and for Aberdeen, the most outstanding were Blackwell and all the forwards - Love, Cheyne, R. Bruce, Lawson, and Smith. Smith and love in the first half, and Bruce (2), Cheyne, and Black in the second were the goal scorers. Black's powerful drive, which got the sixth goal, was the best of the lot. There were over 8000 spectators. The game was played in persistent rain.

Source: The Scotsman, 16th January 1928

Aberdeen gave their best display of the season against Clyde, whom they defeated at Pittodrie on Saturday by six clear goals. This score, the biggest of the season, did not flatter the Dons, who played as a team, not as individuals. Clyde were a strong, bustling combination, but that was all. They fought bravely against great odds, but there was little or no understanding between the different divisions. When it came to real football, the visitors were outclassed. It has to be admitted, of course, that the Shawfield forwards were unfortunate not to score on at least two occasions; but, on the other hand, it may be said that Aberdeen's total might have been double what it was. The Pittodrie attack has not been so deadly in its shooting since the season opened.

Cheyne at His Best

I think everyone will agree that the chief reason for the success of the team was the brilliance of Cheyne at inside right. He was the brains of the Aberdeen attack, and, further, he had a big say in four of the goals, besides registering one himself. Cheyne had been off form for several weeks prior to the New Year, but it cannot be denied that since the advent of 1928 he has shown us in no uncertain manner that his lapse was only a temporary one. His control work against Clyde was magnificent, while his passing was the essence of accuracy. That he did not score more than once cannot be put down to bad shooting on his part. He shot well and often and with good direction, two of his deliveries striking the woodwork.
Although I have given the palm to Cheyne, all the other players performed their part well. Blackwell nearly let his team down in the opening minutes when he allowed the ball to bounce over his head, but fortunately for Aberdeen, Hood failed to take advantage of the slip. Had Clyde scored then, it might have made a difference to the result. After this, however, Blackwell gave a confident display. Jackson and Livingstone were very sound at back. The former was more sure in his kicking and tackled fearlessly and successfully. Livingstone made a good skipper for the day, and with the extra responsibility of the captaincy his play was more deliberate. His judgement was never at fault. On Saturday's form the back division can be relied upon.

Strong Half-backs

The half-backs were not only strong in defence but clever in attack. As a trio they were vastly superior to the Clyde three, all of whom failed in constructive work. Black proved beyond doubt that his reputation as the best half-back in American football was not false. Since he was given a "free pardon" by the Yankees, he has been serving up football of a very high standard, and I am convinced that Cheyne's recovery is due in no small measure to the sound backing he has received from the ex-Cowdenbeath player. Black as a constructive half has few betters, while his tackling and interception are exceptionally good. McHale continues to prove worthy of all the good things I said about him when he first tried at centre-half. He has developed into one of the best pivots in the League, and there are quite a few good ones to-day. There was a time when his intentions were too obvious, but not so now. His head is an invaluable asset to the team. Willie Ross, too, is due congratulations on the splendid manner in which he is filling the left-half berth. He is much faster than he was, and is using his weight and timing his tackles much better. It looks as if Ross he?s come to stay. On his present form he cannot be superseded.

Love and Smith in Form

Of the forwards, I have already referred to Cheyne. "Bobby" Bruce proved his abilities as an opportunist. A defence is always on tenterhooks when he is in the centre. He led the attack well prior to his injury, and his two goals were very smartly taken. Lawson did not seem to be too fit, but his manoeuvring and drawing of the opposing half-back were cleverly executed. He shows grand control over the ball. In Love and Smith Aberdeen had two very smart wing men. Love knows no fear. That was proved when he went into the centre to take Bruce's place. He is playing with greater confidence now. His goal was smartly taken, and from a very difficult angle at that. He is also beating his man with greater ease, and his crosses always spell danger. Smith has certainly shown a great improvement in recent games. He is going in more, with the result that he is beating his opponents more easily. His last two displays have been reminiscent of Smith in his early days at Pittodrie.
A reproduction at Kirkcaldy of Saturday's form is all that is necessary to beat Raith Rovers.
Apart from Fraser, McGuire, and Blair, the other Clyde players were a moderate lot, or, rather, they were made to look moderate. Once again Gibson disappointed me; but I never did think much of him at any time.

Source: Bon-Accord, 21st January 1928

Aberdeen were in rampant, form, defeating Clyde at Pittodrie by 6 goals to 0. The conditions were far from favourable, there being a strong easterly gale and driving rain, and the pitch was soft; and greasy. In the circumstances it was a case of victory going the side that adapted itself the better to the conditions. This was undoubtedly Aberdeen, but during the first twenty minutes there was nothing to suggest they would ultimately gain such a decisive victory.
Clyde had the gale m their favour in the first half, but they failed to gauge the wind, and even when chances came their way they were not able take advantage of these. The Aberdeen goal had at least three narrow escapes before the home team took the lead, and had Clyde been successful on at least one of these occasions, there is no saying what might have happened. As it was, playing against the wind, Aberdeen scored, and the moral advantage of the first goal was subsequently evident in the play of the team.

Critique of Personnel.

After a shaky beginning, Blackwell played well in the home goal, but did not have much work of a dangerous nature to deal with, especially in the second half. Jackson and Livingstone at back were also a little unsteady at the start, but afterwards settled down, and played very steadily. The Aberdeen halfbacks were big power in the contest. Black especially played a strong forcing game, and while he was responsible for one of the goals, another was the sequel to his fine leading up work. McHale and Ross also played finely and were of great assistance to their forwards. The Aberdeen forwards featured a spirited and clever attack throughout the afternoon, and the fact that six goals were scored testifies to their effectiveness. They not only displayed fine ball control, speed and combination, but shot with great power and accuracy, and it was indeed surprising that their harvest was not even richer than it was. Love and Cheyne on the right wing were a brilliant pair, both shooting with tremendous power. Bruce in the role of leader, was always on top of the Clyde defence, and capped a grand afternoon's work with two splendidly taken goals. Smith, too, on the left wing, showed cleverness, and Lawson, who took McDermid's place at inside left, accomplished much good spadework.
Clyde played brightly in the earlier stages, but were overwhelmed after the interval and very disjointed. Fraser effected many grand saves and was blameless for the heavy defeat, in fact he did much to restrict the score. Blair was the better of two unsteady backs. The half-back line was weak, and although Gibson defended well, he lacked constructive ability. In a forward line that was badly supported from behind, Young, Hood, and Hasson were best, but the line lacked marksmen. There were about 9000 spectators.

HOW GOALS CAME.

The Clyde goalkeeper was In action in the first minute when he knocked out a shot to Cheyne, and Smith just missed the rebound but the Aberdeen goal subsequently had an even more narrow escape. Blackwell ran out to a ball which bounced over his head, and appeared to be going into the untenanted goal when Hood followed up and sent the ball against the post, off which it dropped behind. At the other another a shot by Cheyne just missed the mark, and then Blackwell failed to clear a centre by Hasson, but Summers shot over, and a fierce shot by Gribben hit the Aberdeen crossbar.
Aberdeen went ahead in fifteen minutes when Love got away to cross, and after Bruce had turned the ball against Fraser, Smith met the return to crash it into the net. Subsequently Clyde applied strong pressure, and Hasson, with only Blackwell to beat, sent wide of the goal. Aberdeen got a second goal in twenty-seven minutes, Cheyne let Bruce through, but Fraser knocked out his parting effort, and Love, running in, smashed the ball into the net from a difficult angle. Until the interval each side attacked in turn and both goalkeepers were in action, but Aberdeen retained their lead of 2-0 at half-time.

A ONE-SIDED PERIOD.

With the wind behind them in the second half Aberdeen were quick to make the running. Black worked the ball up on the right, and parted to Cheyne, who later crossed to Bruce, and the latter beat Fraser from close range. The home goal had a narrow escape when McHale miskicked and Hood got through, only to miss the goal with his shot. From a pass down the centre Cheyne, Bruce scored a fourth goal for Aberdeen. Subsequently Fraser brought off wonderful saves from fierce shots by Love and Cheyne, and the Aberdeen right winger twice sent against the woodwork. Bruce was injured, and changed places with Love, and Young and Gribben exchanged positions in the Clyde attack. Play continued to greatly favour Aberdeen, and from a centre by Smith Cheyne headed brilliantly into the net. Later Love shot against the post, and before the end Black scored a sixth goal with a terrific drive, the ball hitting the roof of the net and rebounding into play.

Source: Press & Journal, 16th January 1928