South Africa 2 - 5 Aberdeen

ARMSTRONG HAS "HAT-TRICK"

Durban, Saturday.

Except for a brief period in the second half, when they scored twice, South Africa were completely outclassed by Aberdeen, the Scottish First Division club, in the first of three "Test" matches at the Kingsmead Ground here to-day, the tourists winning by 5-2.
At half-time Aberdeen led 3-0, having scored three times in the space of three minutes. Two of these goals were obtained by Armstrong, and the Scottish inside-right completed his hattrick in the second half.

QUICK TACKLING,/p> The home side disappointed. They lacked the precision of their opponents and in trying to play a short passing game instead of swinging the ball about they played into the hands of the quick-tackling Scots.
After a fairly even opening the tourists settled down and dominated the game. They attacked incessantly and thrilled the crowd of 15,000 by their precise movements.
There was no scoring however until after a reshuffling of the Aberdeen team necessitated by an injury to Temple, the back. Then came three quick goals for the visitors.
In the thirty-first minute McKenzie netted with a beautiful drive high into the net after having the ball back-heeled to him by Armstrong.

Neat Header

Two minutes later Armstrong himself scored with a neat header from a well-judged pass by Dunlop and netted again in the next minute. Standing unmarked he received the ball from Mills and scored easily.
Lang got Aberdeen's fourth goal five minutes after the interval.
In a brief recovery South Africa scored twice trough Mitchell and Gibb before Armstrong completed his "hat-trick" and scored his side's fifth goal. This happened in the eightieth minute, the Aberdeen inside-right beating both backs after taking a pass from Lang.
The weather was hot and sunny, otherwise conditions were excellent.

Source: Press & Journal, 21st June 1937