Aberdeen 3 - 0 Hamilton

Fine Win Over Hamilton Give Them Lead in League Race

TRIUMPH OF TEAM WORK: SUPERIOR HALVES A BIG FACTOR

Aberdeen have reason to be proud of themselves. Their 3-0 victory over Hamilton Accies at Pittodrie yesterday gave them the lead in the championship race; they are the only unbeaten team in the Scottish League, and have conceded fewest goals.
Hamilton blasted Aberdeen's Scottish Cup hopes in the semi-final last season, but the Dons got ample revenge for this defeat yesterday. They emerged victorious by three goals nil, and 20,000 fans left the ground highly delighted.
It was one of the best games seen at Pittodrie this season, the Dons serving up some fine football. Mills, McKenzie, and Lang were the marksmen.
There can no denying that victory went to the better team. Hamilton are a good side, but they lacked the team-work and confidence of the Dons.

Aberdeen's Advantage

Perhaps Aberdeen's biggest advantage lay at wing half, Fraser and Thomson striking a fine understanding with the men in front. Much of the success of the forwards was due to this pair.
The Pittodrie attack worked with skill and cohesion, their movements being well conceived and cleverly executed. This was in direct contrast to the Hamilton quintette, who were for the most part forced to rely on individual efforts.
This was due to the fact that the Douglas Park intermediate trio were too busy trying to hold the Aberdeen forwards in check to lend their forwards the necessary support.
Aberdeen should have led by a more substantial margin than one goal at the interval. Certainly the Hamilton defence was in luck's way on more than one occasion, but had the home forwards curbed their eagerness and avoided bunching in the goalmouth they would have taken the lead long before they did.

McGill's Grand Game

Westland, who distinguished himself with one or two splendid saves, received good protection from Cooper and McGill. The left back was on top of his form, and was the best defender afield.
Falloon found the burly Wilson a big handful, but stuck to his job with dogged determination, although more than once the Accies. leader gave the slip. Fraser and Thomson were splendid.
McKenzie, a great schemer, was the instigator of many Aberdeen raids, and he had a capable ally in Armstrong, who was speedy and dangerous.
Mills, although clever at times, has often been more prominent, while Lang and Beynon on the wings were speedy and thrustful.
The Hamilton defence put up a plucky display. Morgan was a good 'keeper, and Wallace the better of a pair of sound backs. The wily McStay took the honours at half-back, while Wilson, although he missed two possible scoring chances, was the most dangerous forward. He' received good support from Harrison.

How the Game Went

A fine slip through by Mills in the first minute almost let Lang through, but Morgan ran out to clear. McKenzie dribbled through the centre but Wallace intervened. There was a near thing at the Aberdeen end in the next minute. King tricked Thomson and passed to Harrison, whose grounder was turned round the post by Westland.
Aberdeen seemed anxious, and after Fraser had been dispossessed Westland held a long lob by Thomson. A slip by McKenzie to Armstrong went agley. Mills had a good try, and for a spell Hamilton were at sixes and sevens.
McKenzie flashed in a great drive which Morgan clutched safely, and, a minute later, Lang deflected a free kick by Thomson just over the bar.
Hamilton were sorely pressed and Mills twice had Morgan on his knees. Wilson tried to steal away but Falloon held him and the Dons bore downfield.
McKenzie tricked Thomson and let the ball go to Fraser. A neat lob down the middle to Armstrong and the ball flashed over from the centre's foot.
Mills was crowded out when about to shoot, but the Dons would not be denied and Armstrong headed over from Lang's cross.
Dave Wilson made another attempt to break through but was bowled over by Cooper. Hamilton were rattled and brilliant play by Mills, Armstrong and Fraser almost brought a goal.
Then came a narrow squeak for Hamilton. Morgan knocked down a Thomson free kick and Bullock kicked clear as Armstrong bundled the 'keeper into the net.
Followed a let-off for the Dons, Wilson got clean through but shoved the ball too far in front and Westland ran out to kick clear.
Morgan was again in luck when Beynon crossed right into goal. The 'keeper lost possession, but in a hectic scramble the defence prevailed. McKenzie was hurt in attempting to force a way through and had to go off.

Visitors More Prominent

Hamilton began to come more into the picture as an attacking force and McLaren flashed a great shot inches over.
A great cheer heralded the return of McKenzie, but the former Hearts' man went on the wing. He soon took up his place, however.
Westland dived full length to bring off a great save from Harrison. The 'keeper had again to run out when Wilson again got off the mark.
Bunching by the inside forwards spoiled a chance for the Dons, and Beynon elected to pass when he might have shot. Wilson got nasty knock but was soon into the thick of the fray.
Lang emerged successfully from a touchline duel with Wallace, and a foul brought relief to Morgan with three Dons on top of him.
Aberdeen were unfortunate when the referee whistled for off-side after the ball had struck a defender. Hamilton were getting all the "breaks," and Armstrong was again crowded out in the act of shooting.
McGill was going great guns, and twice checked King, while Cooper came upfield and smacked the ball over.

A Close Shave

Another fine attempt at scoring was made by the Dons near the interval. The ball went from Lang to Armstrong, and from the centre to Beynon. As the ball came over from the right Armstrong headed over.
In the next minute the centre missed a pass from the same source, but only a desperate tackle by Wallace stopped the centre at his next attempt.
McGill again came out on top in a tussle with Wilson, and at the other end McStay twice headed behind to concede comers which proved unsuccessful.

Goal - At Last!

Then, on half-time, Mills did the trick. McKenzie shoved the ball through, and the inside left shot home as he was borne to earth by two defenders.
There was just time to re-centre the ball, Aberdeen went off at half-time one goal up, although, on play, they should have had several more.