Aberdeen 1 - 1 Queen of the South

MARKED WEAKNESS IN ATTACK

STRAUSS ALONE DANGEROUS

DUMFRIES TEAM MISS PENALTY

Ineffectiveness in attack cost Aberdeen a point against Queen of the South at Pittodrie on Saturday.
It might have cost them two, for Queen of the South failed to convert penalty award.
Seldom this season has the Dons' forward line displayed greater lack of cohesion and thrust. Strauss was the only member of the quintette who seemed likely to get goals, but unfortunately in the second half he suffered from lack of support.

LUCKY POINT

When Aberdeen had the advantage of a strong wind in the first half it was expected that they would hold a substantial lead at the interval. These hopes proved groundless, however. They led by a solitary goal, and it was rather a lucky point.
Eighteen minutes after the start Strauss sent in high ball from the edge of the penalty area. The wind whirled it goalwards, Fotheringham misjudged its flight, and it entered the net off his hands.
Queen of the South took a greater share of the play in the second half, and nine minutes after the interval were on level terms. It was a "soft" goal. Johnstone dropped a free kick from Allan from thirty-five yards range, and Law nipped in to touch the ball into the net.
In eighteen minutes the Dumfries team were awarded a penalty, when Thomson handled a McPherson cross inside the box. Allan took the kick, but sent past.

BID FOR DECIDER

During the last ten minutes of the game the Dons made a great bid to secure the deciding goal, but their effort came too late.
Despite the fact that it was practically the same team that did duty, Aberdeen were as different as chalk is to cheese compared with the side that dismissed Third Lanark from the Scottish Cup.
Nowhere was this more apparent than in attack. The understanding and thrust which was a feature of their play in the Cup-tie were completely missing. Strauss, in fact, was the only member of the line who threatened any real danger, and had he received better support he might well have won the game.
Armstrong, at inside left, never fitted into the scheme of things, and was inclined to hang on to the ball too long. McKenzie also played below form, and met with little success, while Scott, who led the line, found Allan an insurmountable barrier.
Beynon, on the right, has rarely been seen to less advantage. He was overanxious, and his crosses were often badly timed and badly directed. He might have won the game in the closing minutes had he taken advantage of cross by Strauss.
Although he confined his activities for the most, part to the role of defender, Ritchie played well. He kept a good grip of Renwick and his clearances were well directed.
Dunlop did a good deal of useful work both in defence and attack, but Thomson gave a disappointing display.
The Aberdeen defence, although not brilliant, was generally sound. Johnstone was at fault when Queen of the South scored, but made amends a few minutes later when he brought off a magnificent save from Burns.
Cooper had McPherson well subdued, but was not so impressive as the previous week. Temple was opposed to a smart winger in Howe, but never shirked his job and played a serviceable game.

VISITORS DESERVE POINT

Queen of the South deserve credit for a plucky and wholehearted display, and thoroughly merited a division of the points. Their defence was often hard pressed, but stuck grimly to their task. Like Johnstone, Fotheringham was at fault when he lost the goal, but he had a number of excellent saves to his credit. He was well supported by Savage and Anderson.
Chief honours in defence, however, go to Allan. The centre-half missed the penalty kick, but otherwise he gave a splendid display, and his well-placed free kicks caused the Aberdeen defence a good deal of trouble. McKenzie at right half was a hard worker and did his best to purvey to his forwards.
Burns and Law proved elusive inside forwards, and Howe was dangerous raider on the right.

Source: Press & Journal, 22nd February 1937