Aberdeen 3 - 2 Dundee United

Trophy for the Dons

Aberdeen won their first trophy of the season on Wednesday night, when they defeated Dundee United in the final for the Dewar Shield by the odd goal in five.
The Dons led by three clear goals at the interval, Merrie (2) and Cheyne being the scorers. There was no doubt about the superiority of the home team in the first half, but I am afraid that the Aberdeen players took the opposition too cheaply after the resumption, with the result Henderson, the ex-Rangers player, reduced the leeway with one of the finest goals I have ever seen scored. Getting the ball on the touch-line, he cut in and beat Yuille with an oblique shot, the goalkeeper being deceived by the flight of the ball.
Shortly afterwards, the Aberdeen goalkeeper met with a somewhat serious accident. During a melee, he dived for the ball, and was accidentally kicked on the back of the head by Jackson. Yuille was carried to the pavilion, where several stiches were put in the wound. During his absence, Jackson guarded the goal, but he was beaten by Hutchison after he had fumbled a shot by the same player.
At a time when United were going all out for the equaliser, and seemed likely to get it, Yuille resumed, with his head swathed in bandages. The visitors were not so aggressive after this. In fact, Aberdeen almost added to their score in the closing minutes through Merrie, who had two great drives saved by the United goalkeeper.
On the whole, Aberdeen were worthy winners. Yuille gave a good account of himself, his handling of the ball being clean and confident. Livingstone was the better back, while Hill, the new player from Forfar, was about the best half-back afield. He passes a beautiful ball, and on several occasions he slipped it up the middle in a most inviting way to Merrie. Aberdeen have made a capture in this player. Of the others, McHale, Cheyne, Merrie, and Smith were best. Dundee United gave the impression that they will do well in the Second Division.

Source: Bon-Accord, 25th August 1928

Aberdeen's victory over Dundee United by three goals to two at Pittodrie last night, in the final of the Dewar Shield competition, was somewhat marred by an accident to their new goalkeeper, Yuill, recently secured from Rangers. While out of his goal attempting a clearance, Yuill had the misfortune to be kicked on the head by Jackson. His injury was so serious that he had be carried off the field, and Aberdeen played for the greater part of the second half with ten men. When he reappeared about five minutes from time with a bandage round his forehead, the plucky goalkeeper was cheered to the echo. During his absence, Jackson, who deputised between the "sticks," lost a goal, but took his side out of some tight corners with unorthodox but successful clearances. There was an attendance of about 8000.

Aberdeen were first to be dangerous, but Cheyne completely missed Wilson's cross. Play swung quickly from end to end, but neither goalkeeper was tested. Hutchison broke through, but Livingstone got in the way of his shot. The Aberdeen left wing got going, and after smart work, McHugh held a low shot from Yorston. Things looked dangerous for the United when the whole Aberdeen forward line took part in a nice bout of passing, but Wilson's centre went behind.

Aberdeen Go Ahead.

After fifteen minutes play Aberdeen took the lead in clever fashion. From a clearance, McHale fastened on and drove for goal; the ball was going wide when Cheyne got it with his head and gave the surprised 'keeper no chance. Following this Smith got a nice slip from Yorston, and McHugh could only push out the winger's shot. A mix up followed, but a free kick gave the visitors relief. It was only temporary, however, as Merrie got the reward of his perseverance in following up a cross from the right wing. The goalkeeper half missed the ball and Merrie hooked it over his head into the net. Hill was playing fine defensive game, and was feeding his wing with the coolness and precision of a veteran. In raid on the Aberdeen goal Michie was only inches wide with a great effort. A minute later the United outside-left was again prominent with smart work, but Yuill managed to clutch his centre. The visitors forced a corner on the right, and from the resultant kick, Livingstone cleared a header by Hutchison from under the bar. Play was quickly transferred to the other end, where Merrie back-headed into the net off a corner.
Aberdeen were hardly worth a three goals lead, but it was in no small way due to the indifferent play of the United's mid line that their side was so far in arrears.
Henderson broke away on the visitors' right, but Yuille held his effort in confident style. The Dundee team came more into the picture, and the Aberdeen 'keeper had to look lively to hold a snap-header by Hutchison. In another cohesive rush by the Aberdeen forwards, Cheyne headed in a Smith cross, but with the aid of the post McHugh managed to hold it. Shortly before the interval Hutchison completely beat Yuille with first-time off a cross from the left, but the point was disallowed for offside. Following another raid by the homesters, the United attack bore down on Yuill, and the latter did well to turn a shot by Hart round the post for a fruitless corner.

Injury to Yuill.

Even play marked the resumption. The United were the first to open a dangerous attack, but Livingstone gave them the right-about. In another Dundee raid Hutchison had a great effort which was only inches on the wrong side of the post. After twenty minutes' play, United reduced the leeway. Henderson got clear away on his own, and, shooting on the run, beat Yuill with an angular shot which the 'keeper might have saved. Aberdeen retaliated vigorously, and a first-time effort by Cheyne was only inches high. Yorston let Smith away on the Aberdeen left, but the winger's shot got the outside of the net. Yuill, in a Dundee raid, rushed out of goal and fell in attempting to effect a clearance. Jackson rushed in at the same time to get the ball and accidentally kicked the 'keeper on the head. Yuill was unable to rise, and appeared badly hunt, having to be carried off the field.
With ten men, Aberdeen were at a disadvantage, yet they put up a good defensive fight.

Exciting Play.

Excitement became tense when the United crowded on all sail, and Hutchison beat Jackson, who was deputising for Yuille in a scrimmage. This wakened up the homesters, and Merrie brought McHugh to full stretch to save a rocket shot. Dundee United attacked vigorously, but Aberdeen managed to hang on to their lead until Yuille resumed with a bandage round his forehead about five minutes from time. In the closing stages Merrie had a fine shot on the run which was somewhat luckily saved by McHugh.

At the close, ex-Baillie Stewart, Pertth, president of the Dewar Shield competition, made the presentation.

Source: Press & Journal, 23rd August 1928