Aberdeen 0 - 1 Bo'ness

Bo'ness did a remarkable thing by travelling to Pittodrie Park and defeating Aberdeen by the only goal of the match. It was the more remarkable because it was the first visit Bo'ness had paid to the ground of the Northern club in First League football, and, further, the conditions of having to play on ground from which the snow and ice had only been partially removed was somewhat new to the visitors. It was Heeps, the recently acquired centre forward from the Falkirk club, who put in the header which enabled his side to leave Pittodrie with the much-coveted couple of points. While the Bo'ness forwards were always keen on trying their luck, and gave Blackwell a few hot shots to hold, it was to their defence that the visitors owed their victory. Dempster, as custodian, was invaluable, and brought off a number of remarkable saves, while the backs, Crichton and Ramsay, were a tower of strength. Walker, the centre half, played with judgement, and Martin and Cottingham, on the right wing, were very serviceable. It was Aberdeen's erratic shooting which proved their undoing. Time after time shots which ought to have tested the custodian, were sent wide of the mark. Yorston was the best man on his side at outside left, but he was not supported as he ought to have been. McDermid, in the centre half position, also played well, but the others were found wanting. Eight thousand spectators were disappointed at Aberdeen's display, and relieved their feelings by cheering the victors.

Source: The Scotsman, 14th November 1927

Following successive defeats away from home at the hands of St Johnstone and Partick Thistle, Aberdeen sustained another set-back on Saturday when Bo'ness, who had not previously won away from home this season, obtained the only goal at Pittodrie. Consequent upon the suspension of Black and the illness of Bruce, Aberdeen had Spencer at right half, and Yorston moved inside left to make way for Macfarlane at centre forward. Bo'ness had out Heeps, their centre forward acquisition from Falkirk, who marked his debut for his new club by scoring the all-important goal. The pitch had been cleared of snow in the forenoon, and although still on the hard side, was in wonderfully good order, and a keen, fast, and exciting game was served up.

LOST, BUT MIGHT HAVE WON.

On the run the play it was a game which Aberdeen might have won comfortably instead of losing so narrowly. In the first half especially, they attacked for the major portion of the time, and although more was seen of the Bo'ness attack in the second half, Aberdeen still did most of the attacking. Two factors contributed their downfall - the excellent goalkeeping of Dempster, backed up by a dour set of Bo'ness defenders, and the erratic shooting of the home forwards. While this is so, it must be admitted Aberdeen experienced all the bad luck that was agoing. In the first half it appeared that a Bo'ness back hooked the ball back from over the goal-line after Dempster had been beaten, but the home team's claim for a goal was turned down by the referee. On another occasion, a shot by Cheyne that appeared to be bound for the net was accidentally stopped by Thomson, the Bo'ness left half, who was knocked out, and on still another occasion a shot by Yorston that looked as if it would have beaten the goalkeeper, was accidentally stopped by Macfarlane whom it struck on the body.

THE DECIDING GOAL.

The deciding goal was obtained nine minutes from the interval, and was scored at a time when it looked all odds that Aberdeen would score. A return by Creighton was caught up by Heeps, and the latter parted to Oswald, who made ground and centred from near the corner flag for Heeps to dash in and head the ball into the net close to Blackwell's right hand post. Previous to that Dempster had effected many fine saves, but the shooting of the Aberdeen attackers both from close and long range, had been badly directed.
The same tale has to told of the second half so far as the shooting of the home team is concerned; but there were occasions during darts by the nippy Bo'ness forwards that the home defence was fortunate to avert further disaster.

A GOALKEEPER'S PART.

The honours the went to the visitors' defence, and particularly to Dempster, who dealt with many dangerous balls in the most confident manner, and he did more than any other player to give victory to his side. He was splendidly supported by Creighton and Ramsay at back, and by Walker at centre-half, and the manner in which this trio covered up, had a great deal to do with the ineffectiveness of the home attack. Martin, who went to centre-forward in the closing stages, consequent upon injury to Heeps, was easily the best of the winners' forwards, Cottingham and Heeps next in order.
Blackwell had a few good saves, but when using his hands did not always get in a decisive clearance. Livingstone was the more polished back but did not tackle so well as Jackson. ln the intermediate line, McDermid was best, but lapsed when he allowed Heeps to jump up unchallenged to secure the goal that decided the issue. Forward, Yorston was out by himself, but was badly supported, although now and again Smith came into prominence with smart sprints. There were about 9000 spectators.

Source: Press & Journal, 14th November 1927