Aberdeen 4 - 0 Arbroath

CUMMING IN STAR ROLE

Defies Rampant Dons' Attack

FOUR GOALS AFTER HE RETIRES

Much of the interest and zest in the match Pittodrie departed when Cumming, the Arbroath keeper, retired with a dislocated finger just after the second half had started.
The former Aberdeen custodian was the outstanding personality of the game. His play attained brilliant heights, and until was injured he defied a rampant Aberdeen team.
Time and again the Dons, by means of clever, combined football, swept down on Cumming's charge only to be frustrated by their former team mate.
He was cheered time and again for wonderful saves, and received a grand ovation when the teams left the field at half-time.

Dislocated Finger

Last season Arbroath surprisingly smashed Aberdeen's home record, and the big question during the interval was - would the "Red Lichties" hold out? All doubts were set at rest about a minute after the restart when Cumming dislocated the third finger of his left hand stopping a terrific drive from Armstrong and had to retire to the pavilion.
It was the end for Arbroath. Aberdeen were three goals up within ten minutes. McKenzie opened the scoring after several players had missed a high ball, and a minute afterwards Mills netted following a Fraser free kick. McKenzie was also responsible for the third goal, converting a nice slip from Mills.

Exhibition Football

Despite their big handicap, Arbroath fought back pluckily. Aberdeen's superiority, however, was more marked than ever, and half-backs and forwards indulged in exhibition football. Five minutes from the end Beynon notched the fourth goal.
Cumming's retiral had necessitated rearrangement of the Angus team. Fordyce went into goal. Adams went to right-back, Adams went to right-half, and they played four forwards.
Aberdeen's footall in the first half was a delight to watch. Backed up by the wing halves, the forwards showed clever combination and ball control, but, without wishing to detract from the brilliance of Cumming's display one must admit that their finishing was not too impressive.
On play Aberdeen thoroughly merited their victory. They were well ahead of their opponents individually and as team, but victory would not have been easily attained had Arbroath not lost their 'keeper.

Two " Near Things "

The Aberdeen defence generally experienced little difficulty in holding the visiting attack in check. There were only two near things at the goal, and both occurred the first half.
A surprise effort by Brand saw Smith get down in the nick of time, and later a shot by Lowe, which appeared to be going past, struck the woodwork.
Cooper was the more polished of two sound backs, and Falloon was a safe and energetic centre half.
Both Fraser and Thomson played well, with the former the outstanding middleman afield. The Aberdeen wing halves gave the opposing inside men little scope, yet- they were ever urging on their own attack.
Mills was a slick and brainy forward for Aberdeen, and was ready to try a shot. Armstrong was too closely guarded by Duff to be really dangerous, but he distributed play with rare judgment.
Beynon and McKenzie comprised a smart right wing, but Lang on the left, although clever, lacked enterprise.

Visitors Enthusiastic

Arbroath endeavoured to counterbalance their lack of craft by dash and enthusiasm, their defence gave a plucky display, even after they had lost Cumming, their outstanding personality. Fordyce, Becci and Duff were a hardworking trio, and the right back, as deputy 'keeper, deserves credit for 'his efforts to keep the score down.
Brand and Lowe were the only members of the attack to impress. The centre was nippy, but suffered from lack of support.

Source: Press & Journal, 17th August 1936