Aberdeen 3 - 1 Partick Thistle

DEFENCE IS STILL BELOW FORM

During the first half-hour of the match against Partick Thistle at Pittodrie the' Dons revealed something of their old skill and snap. In the brief space of five minutes they laid the foundation of victory by scoring three goals.
Subsequently, and especially in the second half, their play was a trifle disappointing. The old fault of over-elaboration in the goalmouth was in evidence.

ON THEIR TOES

They merited the points, however, and victory should do something to restore the players' confidence. Considering that they were without Strauss and Mills, their performance was a creditable one.
It was obvious from the manner in which the players set about their work that they were desperately keen to return to winning form. Every man was on his toes.
In ten minutes they were rewarded when Armstrong drew the defence before parting to Lang, who lobbed the ball over the keeper's outstretched hands into the net. Three minutes later Devine got a second goal. During a determined Aberdeen attack the inside left suddenly found himself in possession and sent the ball crashing into the net from twenty yards range.
Before Partick had recovered from these two quick blows, an attack developed on the right, which brought a third goal. Armstrong, while on one knee, managed to guide a short pass by McKenzie past the keeper into the net.
When the visitors lost the services of McMenemy twenty minutes after the start of the second half it was expected that the Dons would increase their lead. Some of the "pep" had gone out of their play, however, and the forwards failed to push home the attack.
Only one goal was scored, and it came from the head of Wallace, the Partick Thistle leader, who beat Falloon to a cross by McSpadyen to head into the net.

DEFENCE ERRORS

The defence was inclined to waver under pressure, and if winning form is to be maintained, an improvement in this department is essential.
Johnstone in goal had one or two smart saves, including a brilliant one-handed effort from a shot by Smith in the second half, but he seemed to be taken by surprise when Thistle scored.
Cooper played more confidently than in recent games and gave the left winger little scope. Temple, however, was less successful against McSpadyen, the danger man of the Partick attack. The Dons' left back could find no effective method checking the winger's activities.
Falloon was a trifle disappointing at centre half. He seems to have lost some of his former confidence and nippiness. On his best form he would have prevented Wallace scoring. Thomson's play also left a good deal to be desired. The left half was slow, and could not cope with the clever McKennan.
Fraser was the best middleman. He was a tireless worker in defence and enterprising and forceful in attack. He appears be coming back to his best form.
McKenzie was most prominent in attack. His clever dribbling and ball manipulation caused the Partick defenders good deal of trouble. Armstrong was a lively and dangerous leader in the first half, while Lang on the left wing often spoiled clever outfield play by lack of incisiveness in his finishing.
Devine, the reserve half-back who deputised for Mills at inside left, played well enough to warrant further trial. He was strong, and distributed play cleverly. His one fault was that he was inclined to lie too far back.
Although Scott on the extreme right could not be classed as a success he was a willing worker, and when he cut in he had an upsetting influence on the Partick defence.

PLUCKY FIGHTERS

Partick Thistle put up a plucky fight, especially after they had lost the services of McMenemy. Their half-backs could not hold the Aberdeen attack, and as a result their forwards suffered from lack of support.
Johnstone kept a good goal, and although Calderwood and Stewart made mistakes they were of the never-say-die type. Elliot was the only member of the half-back line who took the eye.
Most of the danger in the attack came from the right wing. McSpadyen used his speed to advantage, and crossed many dangerous balls, while McKennan, his partner, was clever and elusive.

Source: Press & Journal, 30th August 1937