Aberdeen 2 - 0 St. Johnstone

Perth Attack Subdued by Aberdeen Defence.

Aberdeen are doing well. Eleven points out of a possible twelve makes good leading. Except that there has been a weakness at goalmouth, the side has been playing well for several weeks.
There was still room for improvement In the finishing on Saturday, but their 2-0 victory over St Johnstone at Pittodrie was one their best performances of the season.
The Dons thoroughly merited their win. They were the better balanced and better combining side.

Heavy Ground.

Considering the positions of the teams on the League table, the football served up was of very mediocre standard. Two factors contributed to this state affairs - the heavy ground and the greasy ball, and the keen tackling of the defenders.
Although the football was not brilliant, it was one of the most fiercely contested and thrilling games that has been seen at Pittodrie this season.
St Johnstone were set to face the wind and rain in the first half. In the opening minutes they revealed glimpses of the football that has made them one of the most successful teams of the season, but once the Aberdeen defenders settled down they were completely subdued.
In fact, except for the first two or three minutes, it was all Aberdeen. The Dons launched attack after attack, and although the Perth men defended stubbornly, a goal was bound to come.

Smith's Point.

It did, in the twenty-fourth minute. A Mills shot from a Beynon cross rebounded off Welsh to the waiting Smith, and the diminutive winger smashed the ball into the net.
From this point until the interval, Wylie, in the Saints' goal, was the busiest man the field. He saved brilliantly, showing an uncanny sense anticipation, but at the same time the Dons would have increased their total had they revealed more punch at the goalmouth.
St Johnstone fought more fiercely than ever in the second half, but the attack could not get out of the toils of the Pittodrie defence. The Perth men had only two really dangerous attempts at goal, and Davidson was responsible for both. The first shot went past, and the second cleared the crossbar by inches.

Spectacular Goal.

Aberdeen continued to dominate, but thirty-two minutes had gone ere they increased their lead, as the result of a spectacular goal by Beynon.
The winger and the 'keeper raced for a ball pushed forward by Warnock. They met just outside the penalty area, but Benyon was a fraction of a second before Wylie, and his shot landed in the back the net.
Seldom has the Aberdeen defence presented a more solid front. Smith in goal had little to do, thanks to the smart covering up of Cooper, McGill and Falloon. On the day's play this trio were almost unbeatable.
The backs tackled and cleared first-time, while Falloon successfully shadowed Stewart.
Fraser and Thomson were grand spoilers, and they did not neglect their own forwards. Fraser was the better of the two, Thomson finding Davidson a hot handful.

Honours to Beynon.

The honours in attack go to Beynon. He was a fast and dangerous raider. Warnock supported him in good style, although the heavy going took its toll of the inside-right in the second half.
Smith, on the left wing, played well. He was a tricky winger, and he had a powerful shot.
Mills was the most polished attacker on the field, and in the first half some of his moves were worthy an International inside forward.
Armstrong was well guarded by Littlejohn, but he gave the Muirton pivot plenty to do.
Wylie was St Johnstone's outstanding defender, and he was ably supported by Welsh and Clark. The right-back gave a fine display.
The half-back line was unimpressive, only Ferguson (H.) taking the eye. As a line they were too busy in defence to lend their attackers any assistance.
The Perth attack has seldom been seen less advantage. Davidson was the cleverest of the quintette, and head and shoulders above his team-mates.
Dickie showed smart touches, but Ferguson (A.), Tennant and Stewart were too well guarded to be effective.

Source: Press & Journal, 12th November 1934