Aberdeen 3 - 2 St. Mirren

Seldom has a result so grossly misinterpreted the run of play than on Saturday. Only in the first six minutes and in the same time prior to the close were St Mirren really upper-dogs. And, curiously enough, it was during these two periods that they got their goals. The home defenders were badly positioned in each case. Blackwell and Jackson both attempted to cover McDonald whose parting shot found the woodwork and McLelland had little to do but screw the ball into the net. The second goal was also a tactical blunder. Following a corner kick on the left, the ball hovered perilously near Blackwell, and Black and McHale should easily have cleared before McGregor got in his shot. These two incidents might have cost the Dons dear, had the forwards not been so rampant. But they were the only two blunders, and, once Love had shown his colleagues the way past Fotheringham, the rest was simple.
The game has now seen the Dons into fifth place on the table, and that at the expense of their latest victims. Their revival since the cup-tie at Kirkcaldy is surely something that astonishes the most sanguine Pittodrie supporter. But there it is, and there, it is to be hoped, it will remain. And they may even go one better yet - if they can win their three remaining matches. It is a tall order perhaps, but we shall see.
Without a word of doubt I give the palm for success over St Mirren to the play of the wing halves and that of Cheyne and Yorston. And more especially the play of the latter. The inside duo were the men who had most of the ball during the game, and they saw to it that Love and Smith were sent speeding on their ways. They lay on top of the St Mirren middle line throughout, and their leading-out work was really first-class, with the result that Love and Smith had an afternoon as shining lights. And shine they did. All three goals came from the wings, and although the outside left has been seen to more advantage as an opportunist, his flashing crosses were always inviting, and on more than one occasion might have been improved upon with a better marksman in the centre. Besides scoring the first goal, Love was the Aberdeen forward who gave Fotheringham most trouble. He had the measure of the men against him right from the start, and practically led up to the goals by Yorston and Merrie.
Black and McDermid had very little trouble in holding up the opposing wings, and therefore they blossomed forth as purveyors without much ado. In the first half the three halves never made a mistake. There may be conflicting opinions as to the tactics to be employed by the middle men nowadays, but of this I am convinced - that the centre-half is the key man to the whole problem. A third back when occasion demands, he must be strong throughout to cope with the three inside men and not the centre alone, and get his forwards going. McHale may not have the polish that the pivots of a year or two ago could afford to adorn their play with, but the manner in which he bottled up Scotland's reserve leader on Saturday confirms my opinion that he is one of the best club centre-halves at the present moment. While the men on either side of him were pressing home the attack, he bore the brunt of all the tackling and destructive work in the first half, and even Jackson and Bruce were far from being overworked as a result of his assertion over the St Mirren forwards.
The interval score was all wrong. Fotheringham carried the defence on his shoulders, and his efforts in defying the whole Aberdeen forward line and the shots from McDermid and Black were praiseworthy indeed.

McLelland who was at inside left for St Mirren on Saturday, was not paying his first visit to Pittodrie. He was in the Saltcoats Victoria side that defeated Banks o' Dee in the Scottish Junior Cup some years ago.

Source: Bon-Accord, 7th April, 1928

By defeating St Mirren by three goals two in the second last of their home fixtures, Aberdeen scored their ninth successive home victory. Although no rain fell during the afternoon, the weather was dull and there were only 10,000 spectators. As has been usual in their last few home matches, Aberdeen won by a much improved display in the second period. The game lacked thrills, both attacks being slightly erratic near goal. Aberdeen especially were sinners in this respect, and many chances were frittered away during the first period.
St Mirren opened their account through McLellan six minutes after the start, and succeeded in maintaining this advantage until twenty minutes of the second half had gone, when Love equalised. About five minutes later Yorston gave the homesters the lead, and near the finish Merrie atoned for many mistakes netting a third goal. McGregor, in one of St Mirren's few raids during this period, secured the Paisley team's second point.
The Aberdeen defence, although erratic at times, gave a bright display, with Jackson, McDermid, and Black most prominent. Smith and Yorston were best of a nippy and dangerous attack, which caused the St Mirren defence many anxious moments. For St Mirren, Fotheringham, Hay, Colquhoun, and W. McDonald in defence were outstanding, and McLellan, Dyer, and McDonald were the pick of the forwards.

ST MIRREN'S LEAD.

Aberdeen were first to dangerous, and Fotheringham had to clear from Yorston. After Love had shot over, St Mirren retaliated, and Blackwell had to fist clear from a corner. After six minutes a good shot by McDonald struck the post, and McLellan from the rebound found the net. Smith took play to the visitors' end, and from a scrimmage in the goalmouth the ball was scrambled away. Aberdeen, with the assistance of the breeze, continued on the attack, and after Merrie had headed past a cross from Smith, Yorston got through but was dispossessed. Yorston gave Cheyne a chance, but the inside right sent wide, and then a header by Love was saved at the expense of a corner. Following a shot by Cheyne being held Fotheringham, Colquhoun in a St Mirren raid shot wide. Aberdeen held the advantage, and shots by Yorston, Cheyne, and McDermid were saved before the interval.

ABERDEEN RECOVERY.

St Mirren attacked immediately on the resumption, and Blackwell was called to from McCrae. Aberdeen undoubtedly held the advantage this half, and after Love had equalised after 20 minutes' play, the homesters played with the utmost confidence. Merrie broke through, but sent too far ahead, and Fotheringham cleared. Five minutes later, after Merrie had hit the woodwork, Yorston met the rebound to hook the ball past the Paisley 'keeper into the net. The St Mirren defence underwent a gruelling time, the Aberdeen attack being rampant. In a melee in the St Mirren goal-line Merrie and Yorston both went near to scoring, before Cheyne shot past. Merrie headed into Fotheringham's hands, Love struck the crossbar, and then from the rebound Merrie scored Aberdeen's third goal. In a last desperate rally by the visitors, McGregor scored from a corner, but despite their best efforts the Paisley team failed to secure the equaliser.

Source: Press & Journal, 2nd April 1928