Aberdeen 2 - 1 Kilmarnock

Aberdeen registered their sixth league victory of the season at Pittodrie yesterday, when they defeated Kilmarnock by 2 goals to 1 in the return match between the teams. There was a holiday crowd of about 13,000. Aberdeen were without Smith and Hill, Yorston and McLeod coming into the team, and Kilmarnock had Leslie for Robertson at right-back.

Thrills in Plenty.

It was see-saw struggle, in which the football was poor. There was, however, no lack of thrills, and interest was sustained up to the last minute, during which Kilmarnock came very near to saving a point. Both goalkeepers had been repeatedly in action before Kilmarnock opened the scoring after twenty-seven minutes' play. Smith let go a long shot, which Yuill made to deflect over the crossbar. He failed in this, however, and the ball hit the bar and then bounced against the upright and into the net.

Penalty Kick Saved.

Shortly afterwards Aberdeen were awarded a penalty kick for "hands" by Leslie. The award did not meet with approval generally, and not many were sorry when Clemie effected a brilliant save from McHale's terrific spot kick. It was end-to-end struggle, and just on the interval Love sent in a ground shot, which Clemie would have saved, but the ball was deflected into the net just out of his reach. The scores were level ?1-I?at half-time.

Gruelling Second Half.

In a gruelling second half both goals were repeatedly endangered. With fifteen minutes played, Love centred, and Merrie, from fifteen yards out, headed into the net, Clemie being taken by surprise. Subsequently Aberdeen applied strong pressure and forced a number of corners, but Clemie defied all their efforts.
In the closing stages Kilmarnock rallied, and after Smith and Paterson had failed at comparatively easy chances, Yuill brought off a wonderful full-length save from Connell. In the last minute the Aberdeen goalkeeper again distinguished himself when he deflected over the bar a ball that had been misheaded by Livingstone.

Outstanding Players.

Although they were the more aggressive side, Aberdeen were fortunate to take both points, Kilmarnock lost several good chances in the second half through over-eagerness. Yuill and Clemie were two brilliant goalkeepers, and yet they were beaten by saveable shots. As full backs, Livingstone and Nibloe excelled, and McHale and Morton were the best of the half-backs. Kilmarnock had the nippier set of forwards. Paterson and Cunningham showing brilliantly at times. Among the Aberdeen attackers Merrie was easily the best, but apart from Love he was not well supported by his colleagues.

Source: Press & Journal, 25th September 1928