Aberdeen 4 - 0 Falkirk

DONS FIND IT EASY

Falkirk Outclassed at Pittodrie

STRAUSS SCORES FINE GOAL

Seldom will Aberdeen gain a brace of points more easily than they did against Falkirk at Pittodrie. The Dons were in no way flattered by the margin of their victory. In fact, had they accepted all the chances that came their way they might well have doubled their total.
Falkirk were outclassed from start to finish.

Spectacular Goal

Aberdeen took command from the start, but the big thrill was reserved until close on the interval, when Strauss, Aberdeen's South African left-winger, scored a spectacular third goal.
Beating Batchelor to a high Thomson clearance Strauss trapped the ball, ran forward a couple of paces and crashed it into the net with terrific force from about eighteen yards' range.
Fourteen minutes after the start Beynon was unfairly upended by Hamill inside the penalty area. Thomson took the spot kick, but sent it straight to the 'keeper, and Smith cleared.
The goal was not long delayed, however, Armstrong netting three minutes later. Beynon broke away on the right and after eluding Hamill ran almost to the corner flag before squaring the ball for the centre to head into the net.
In twenty-two minutes a Strauss corner was only partially cleared and Beynon found the net with a lob which went in off the post.
Strauss' counter came one minute from the interval, and seven minutes after the restart Armstrong completed the scoring. Shankley stopped a through pass from McKenzie, but before he could clear the home leader fastened on to run forward and easily beat Smith.

Energy Sapped

The sweltering heat must have sapped the energy of both sets of players. Aberdeen, with a four goal lead, did not exert themselves unduly, but, even so, they were still on top and seemed more likely to increase their total than did Falkirk to open their account.
The Brockville attack was disjointed and never succeeded in outwitting a sound home defence. The only shot with which Steve Smith appeared to experience any difficulty was a drive by Young from a Benson pass in the second half.
Cooper was the smartest back afield, and never permitted Dawson, the former Highland League player, who scored a record number of goals for a left-winger last season, to become dangerous. McGill was kept busier by Carruthers, but more than held his own.

Falloon Sound

Falloon, although perhaps not so energetic as usual, played a sound defensive game, and gave Benson little scope. Thomson was the best home half, but was not so prominent in attack as against Arbroath last Wednesday. Dunlop was a hard-working right half, and once he improves his distribution will become a real asset to the side.
The Aberdeen attack was clever and dangerous, and the Falkirk defence deserves credit for the plucky manner in which they stood up to the home assaults.
Armstrong was the outstanding forward, and gave a clever display. He was smart on the ball, distributed play skilfully, and took his goals well.

Strauss Dangerous

Strauss, although he did not meet with the same success as in the two previous games, was a speedy and dangerous raider, and looks like adding some of the punch which has been missing from the home attack. Beynon, on the other wing, missed two possible scoring chances, but was willing worker.
McKenzie was an energetic inside-right, while Devine, who again deputised for Mills, tried hard although his efforts were not attended by much success.
The defence was the best part of the Falkirk team, and throughout displayed a never-say-die spirit.
Smith, who graduated to Scottish League football from the Highland League, was a capable keeper, and he received good support from Nisbet, Hamill, and Shankley. The right back, although a trifle robust in his tackling, was a sound defender, and Hamill, too, was a hard worker.
The wing halves, Batchelor and Sneddon, failed to cope with the Aberdeen attack, and were too busy in defence to lend their own attackers much aid.
The Falkirk forwards gave an unimpressive display, and were not to be compared with the home quintette. Young and Carruthers occasionally took the eye, but none of the others did anything of note.

Source: Press & Journal, 31st August 1936