Aberdeen 5 - 2 Hibernian

Hibs 'A' Defeated 5-2 at Pittodrie

The Aberdeen - 'A" team opened their season well at Pittodrie on Saturday, when they easily overcame Hibs 'A" in the first of their Scottish Alliance fixtures - a good victory of five goals to two in their favour in no way flattering them.

This early success for the Alliance champions augurs well for their future games, and a repetition of this form should again keep them well in the running for honours.
As the score indicates, the Young Dons had not a very difficult passage, but their display might have been more convincing. Although they found the net five times, this might have easily been improved upon had there been a little more steadiness in front of goal, several easy scoring chances being missed.
Chief interest, of course, was focussed on the newcomers ? Johnstone, Newton, and Dunlop - from whom much was expected. They did not disappoint in their initial appearance, and should prove valuable assets to the reserve eleven.
The team as a whole played well together, but a slackening off after they got their fourth point cost them two goals. which could easily have been averted with a little more care.
Johnstone did all that was required and, although losing the goals, could not have saved either. Temple and Newton were both sound, kicking and tackling well, but the half line were the strong point, and they gave the visitors' forwards little scope to settle down.
Strauss played extremely well in the first half, and, besides scoring two good goals, crossed some splendid balls. In the second half, however, he tried unsuccessfully to shoot too much instead of putting the ball across the centre.
Brown and Devers were both fine schemers, but Scott and Warnock have both played to better advantage.
The outstanding Hibernian was Culley, the goalkeeper, whose saving at times was wonderful, and he certainly kept, the score down. Of two overworked backs Bryson was the best, while Anderson and Miller played hard in the half line. The forwards did not compare favourably with the home quintette, Farrell being best of a mediocre lot.
Play favoured Aberdeen right from the start, but it took them twenty minutes to find the net, and Strauss was the marksman. He sent in a powerful drive, but Culley could only punch the ball down and the South African found the mark at the second attempt. Shortly after the same player repeated the feat by netting with a strong shot, and they led by this score at half time.
On resuming they again took the game in hand, and Scott, with two fine efforts, put on further points. Hibs asserted themselves after this, and, due to slackening off by the home side, they secured a couple of goals through Farrell and Cochrane. To show they were not done, however, the home team soon had another goal. Strauss again putting through to score a fifth and complete his own " hat trick.

Source: Press & Journal, 10th August 1936