Aberdeen 4 - 0 Arbroath

Aberdeen Beat Arbroath in Dewar Shield Semi-final

Aberdeen's latest star, Willie Strauss, won his way into the hearts of the Pittodrie followers last night when he scored all Aberdeen's four goals in the semi-final tie of the Dewar Shield competition at Pittodrie.

By defeating Arbroath, the Dons qualified to meet St Johnstone tin he final of the competition. The final will be played at Pittodrie on Wednesday, with a 6.45 p.m. kick-off.

Dons on Top

For the first half-hour it looked as if the 'Red Lichties' were to give Aberdeen a run for it, but after Strauss opened the scoring after thirty minutes' play, the Dons were on top, and dominated matters thereafter.
The match was certainly a triumph for Strauss, Pittodrie's South African left winger. He was in dazzling form, and showed to a crowd of about 10,000 that can take his chances - and can put them to good use. His speed and trickiness on the ball often had the Arbroath defenders at sea, while he crossed the ball accurately.
Each of his four goals was a splendid effort. The first, after half an hour's play, came as the result of fine follow-up play. He headed in from a Beynon cross, and Cumming, getting only one hand to the ball, could only partially clear it. The winger was quick to take advantage, ran in, and planted the ball in the corner of the net.
Prior to that he had all but counted. Fordyce passed back to Cumming, but before the 'keeper could get the ball, Strauss flashed between him and the back, nipped the ball as the 'keeper was bending to lift it, but his shot struck the post. He again had hard luck when he saw another of his efforts strike the bar. It was a neat header off a Beynon corner.

Strauss Again in Limelight

After the interval, Armstrong, who received a good reception from the crowd in recognition of his being capped for Scotland, almost put the Dons farther ahead, his strong shot just skimming the bar.
Strauss again came into the limelight when, five minutes after the changeover, he scored another great goal. Armstrong let him away just over the mid-way line, and he raced through on his own, beating Adams and Becci before sending the ball over Cunmming's head. It was a rocket shot that gave the 'keeper no chance. He again snapped an opportunity when, with twenty-two minutes gone, he headed home a McKenzie cross from the right.
Three minutes only separated the completion of his hat-trick from the time he got his fourth. He showed a clean pair of heels to the Arbroath defence from a neat slip from the centre to bang the ball past the 'keeper.
From this point onwards, the Dons had matters mostly their own way, and although they "lived" mainly in the opposing half of the pitch, they could not complete their "nap hand."

Really Fine

While Strauss was the outstanding personality on the field, other members of the Dons' team, if not quite so spectacular, played really fine games.
Smith was safe in goal, while Cooper was the better of two sound backs. Of the mid trio Thomson excelled. His tackling was sure and confident, and he proved once again that he is one the Dons' most consistent players.
Brand gave Falloon a lot of work, but the Aberdeen centre-half came out of the fray with most points. Dunlop was an impressive right-half.
Armstrong led the Dons' attack well, revealing time and again glimpses of the tricky, clever play that has earned for him his place in the Scottish League team. Beynon took the eye on the right wing.

Arbroath's Defence

Despite the fact that their citadel fell four times, Arbroath were best served in defence. Cumming, Scotland's reserve 'keeper for the inter-League game, played a good game. He had little chance with any of the shots that beat him.
Fordyce was the better of their backs, while Duff was the pick of the mid-line. Brand was a nippy centre-forward who took the eye on occasions, while Connaboy put in some good work at inside-right.

Source: Press & Journal, 27th August 1936