Ayr United 0 - 3 Aberdeen

Ayr Outplayed: More Punch in Attack.

Have Aberdeen got over their bad patch? Their play at Somerset Park on Saturday was an improvement on recent form.

All over they were the better balanced team and fully deserving of their 3-0 victory.
While not wishing to detract from the Aberdeen team's victory, a fact which must not be overlooked is that Ayr United are a poor side.
The Aberdeen team still requires strengthening if the Dons are to take their rightful place in Scottish football, and the directors will no doubt continue their search for experienced players.
The team deserves a pat on the back for their display against the Honest men. There was an all-round improvement. The defence had an air of confidence that has been lacking recently, and the half-backs and forwards displayed more understanding. The will-to-win spirit was always in evidence, and the victory should do much towards restoring the morale of the players.
There was a contrast in styles in the match, which was played in a high wind. Aberdeen kept the ball on the ground and favoured the short-passing game, while Ayr lashed the ball about - bad tactics under the conditions.

More Effective.

That the Dons' style was the more efficacious is proved by the result. As a matter of fact, had Aberdeen accepted all their chances they might have doubled the score.
With the advantage of the wind and rain in the first period, Aberdeen had much the better of the exchanges, and their 1-0 lead at the interval was a poor return for the amount of pressure they exerted.
Armstrong got the goal in the fifteenth minute. Smith sent against the post from a Beynon cross, and from the rebound the centre smashed the ball into the net.
Armstrong might have had other two goals. On one occasion Warnock and Beynon took the ball through and the centre failed to get his feet to the inside man's pass. Then again, Mills left Armstrong with a clear field, but once more the centre was unable to get in his shot.
Despite the fact that they faced the wind the Aberdeen attack was more dangerous in the second half.
Five minutes after the restart a smart later-changing of positions by Armstrong and Beynon led to a goal. The centre drew Holland and slipped the ball to Benyon who ran through to beat Hepburn with ease.
Seven minutes later Beynon dashed down the right and squared for Mills to head into the corner of the net.
This was the first occasion in the past five matches that the Aberdeen goal has not fallen. The Dons' defence presented a solid front throughout. Even Ayr's most desperate attacks were met with coolness and confidence.
Compared with Hepburn, Smith in the Aberdeen goal had a quiet time, but when he was called into action he was sure in his clearances.
Cooper and McGill got plenty to but they rattled into action in first time, and it was rarely that they were beaten. When this did occur, Falloon who played a big part in the holding of the Ayr attack, was always ready to fill the breach.
The play of the Aberdeen wing halves was an improvement, especially in Fraser's case. Both kept the ball on the ground, and were ever ready to urge on the attack. The right half showed something like his best form, being sure in the tackle and quick in attack.
The Ayr half-backs never got a grip of the Pittodrie attack. The forwards kept the ball on the ground, and there was understanding and method in their attacks. There was an improvement, too, at close quarters, but there was still too much over-elaboration inside the penalty area.
Beynon was the liveliest and most dangerous attacker afield. He had the beating of both Holland and Ure, and led the Ayr defence a merry dance.
He got good support from Warnock, who worked hard both in defence and attack.
There was no more polished forward than Mills, but the inside man's cleverness was often wasted because of his tendency for hanging on to the ball too long.
Smith, on the extreme left, was keen, but lacking in experience. Armstrong was a hard-working leader, but he might have made better use of his chances in the first period.

Good Display.

Although beaten three times, Hepburn, the Ayr 'keeper, gave a good display, and but for him the United would have lost by a bigger margin. Taylor and Ure are not a brilliant pair of backs, but on Saturday they worked hard in the face of overwhelming odds.
The half-back play was poor, only McCall being worthy of mention. The attack was disjointed and weak at close quarters. Mair, on the right, took the eye at times, while McGibbon worked hard but suffered from lack of support.

Source: Press & Journal,8th October 1934