Clyde 0 - 3 Aberdeen

If They Can Keep Up Their Form Against Clyde

GREAT IMPROVEMENT SHOWN

If Aberdeen reveal the same form against Hamilton Accies and Celtic, whom they meet in successive weeks at Douglas Park, and Parkhead, as they did against Clyde at Shawfield on Saturday, then their prospects of success are indeed bright.

The Dons won even more easily than the score suggests. They showed considerable improvement on the form of the previous week against Hearts, and but for the brilliance of Brown in the Clyde goal, combined with their failure to seize several excellent scoring chances, they would have registered a runaway victory.
Two factors contributed greatly to Aberdeen's success - the fact that they kept play more open than has been the case in recent games and the fine play of the wing halves, Thomson and Fraser.

Fast Pace

So fast was the pace set by the Dons in the first half that by the time the interval arrived Clyde had practically shot their bolt. The homesters fought pluckily during this period, but Aberdeen held the balance of play and should have been ahead at the interval.
A narrow escape to their goal in the first minute of the second half, when McGill headed a Ballantyne try from almost under the crossbar, seemed to bring home the fact to the Dons that it was high time they did something in the matter of goal-scoring. With four minutes gone McKenzie carried the ball through, beat a couple of opponents and slipped it towards goal for Armstrong to tap it into the net.
The Clyde citadel ran numerous escapes before Beynon increased the Dons' lead when he darted out to the left to bang home an Armstrong pass.
Two golden opportunities were allowed slip before the third goal came. Lang was clean through, and with the whole of the goal to shoot at he sent straight to the 'keeper, while Armstrong made the same mistake a few minutes later when he raced after a long upfield punt from Steve Smith.
It was nine minutes from the end when Armstrong took advantage of Beynon cross to put his side further ahead.

Confidence and Understanding

There was confidence and understanding in the Aberdeen defence. Compared with Brown, Smith in the Aberdeen goal had an easy afternoon. His handling inspired confidence, however, and he had one splendid save from Mowat in the closing minutes.
Cooper and McGill were a pair of sound backs who were never in difficulties, and Falloon was his usual confident self, dominating the centre of the field.
Fraser and Thomson gave their best display of the season, combining defence and attack judiciously. This pair played a big part in their side's victory.
The play of the forwards in the second period was championship standard. A deft flick here, a nice touch there, and they were through the Clyde defence. It was well for Clyde that they had Brown and luck on their side.
The outstanding personalities in the Aberdeen attack were Lang and McKenzie. The left-winger was a constant source of worry to the Clyde defenders, and the manner in which he controlled the ball and beat his man stamped him as a player of class. McKenzie, a strong, forcing inside forward, showed a return to his best form. He was clever on the ball and distributed play skilfully.
Armstrong led the line well, while Mills took the eye with occasional smart touches. Beynon, on the right, was a hard-working winger.

Brown Clyde's Hero

Brown was Clyde's hero, although the backs, Summers and Kirk, fought courageously. The intermediate line was weak and never succeeded in getting a grip of the Aberdeen attack.
The attack was spirited, but lacked the cohesion and skill of the Dons' quintette. The success of the line Mowat, the former Morton Juniors' player, who was making his debut at outside right. This lad gives promise of developing into a first-rate player.
Ballantyne was a dashing leader, although deficient in craft, while Rankine, the only other forward who impressed, was handicapped by an injury received in the first half.

Source: Press & Journal, 9th December 1935