Aberdeen 0 - 1 Third Lanark

Twelve thousand spectators saw a poor exhibition at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen, where the Third Lanark, true to tradition, pulled through by the only goal of the match. In a goalless first half the Third Lanark were much the more aggressive side, but they were woefully weak in front of goal, with the result that Anderson was seldom tested, while Brownlie, on the other hand, acted the part of onlooker. The goal came five minutes after the second half had begun, when Welch dribbled through to score at short range. Following on this, Brownlie's goal had several narrow escapes, but, as in the case of the visitors, Aberdeen were weak finishers.

Source: The Scotsman, 8th November 1920

Twelve thousand spectators had little t enthuse over at Pittodrie, where Third Lanark defeated Aberdeen by the only goal of a Scottish League match. The result did not nearly reflect the superiority of the visitors, for had they the same abilities at close quarters as in midfield the margin of victory must have been much more decisive. In the first half especially, when Aberdeen were practically on the defensive throughout, the Third Lanark attack failed to take advantage of many favourable opportunities. At times, the attack simply toyed with the opposition, and yet, in comparison to the amount of work which fell to the defenders in front of him, Anderson had but little to do. Aberdeen were only occasionally dangerous, and it was a reflection on their finishing efforts that Brownlie had only to handle four occasions before the interval. Several times Walsh, the Cathkin centre forward, was presented with good opportunities, but, he was slow and easily baulked by a defence which was at times none too sure. The best attempt at goal-scoring in the period was when McCourt volleyed in a long drive which Anderson topped over the bar. There were other occasions when the home goal was in danger, and Anderson frequently cleared under difficulty, but he would have been fault had he been beaten. Brownlie, on the other hand, was really only twice in danger of being beaten. Once he cleared with difficulty upon a flag kick, and on another occasion he did well to field a free kick by Lees from long range. That Third Lanark had to be content with being parties to a goalless draw at the interval was wholly due to their own ineptitude near goal and to some extent to the fine defensive work of Forsyth at left back for Aberdeen.

The Deciding Goal.

The spectators hoped for an Aberdeen improvement in the second half, but this did not materialise. Only five minutes had gone when Welsh got possession, and cleverly beating Lees and Grosert, made amends for his previous failures by shooting past Anderson. Even this did not have the necessary gingering effect on Aberdeen, and for some time the visitors looked like increasing their lead, the Cathkin left wing being a repeated source of danger, and Anderson was frequently called upon. As time wore on, Aberdeen infused more vigour into their attack, and although they were scarcely more dangerous than before in the matter of locating the goal, they gave the visiting defence considerably more work. Brownlie on several occasions was called upon, and had one or two good saves from Rankine and Fisher, yet when opportunity presented itself, the Aberdeen forwards were no more effective than the visitors had been earlier.
From the spectacular point of view it was a most, uninteresting encounter. Aberdeen were fortunate indeed not have a bigger score chalked up against them. On the home side the only men to play to form were Anderson, Forsyth, and Middleton, and for the visitors McConnach, McCourt, F. Walker, and J. Walker were best.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 8th November 1920