Aberdeen 2 - 0 Motherwell

Aberdeen's victory over Motherwell at Aberdeen was scarcely expected, in view of the fact that Motherwell had never previously been beaten away from home this season. Yet it was on their merits that the Aberdeen players won. Love and Smith scored in the first and second halves respectively, and both might have added to their successes but for the brilliant goalkeeping of McClory. Motherwell blamed the slippery state of the ground for their defeat. They put up a good defence, and when they did get going McMurtrie, Stevenson, and Ferrier were outstanding in an energetic front line. They were unfortunate in not scoring. Aberdeen played a consistently steady game throughout. In defence, Blackwell, Jackson, D. Bruce, and McHale were the prominent men, and the left and right wingers, Smith and Love, repeatedly caught the eye in their efforts to score. There were 8000 spectators.

Source: The Scotsman, 19th December 1927

Aberdeen accomplished one of their best performances of the season at home on Saturday when they defeated Motherwell, the joint leaders of the League, by two goals to nothing. This the first reverse the Lanarkshire team has sustained on an opponents' ground this season. The pitch was frostbound, and it was a case of the team that was prepared to take the greater risks getting the better results. In a well-contested game this was true of Aberdeen, who, although less methodical, displayed more dash, and well deserved their victory. There was not a great deal between the teams until after the visitors lost the second goal, which they strenuously protested, and in the closing stages Aberdeen were well on top and might have added their lead.
The home defence was on its best form. Blackwell effected many excellent saves, and he could scarcely have received better support than that accorded by Jackson and Bruce. The intermediate trio, Black, McHale, and Lawson, played a worrying game throughout, and their covering-up tactics in conjunction with the backs nullified many promising moves by the visitors. The outstanding home forwards were the two extreme wingers and scorers. Love and Smith, whose swift raids and accurate shooting and crossing always made them dangerous. Motherwell played fine football at times, the work of their forwards being delightful to watch, but they lacked an opportunist who could clinch matters near goal. They were splendidly supported by McClory, Johnman, and Craig in defence; and Stevenson, McMurtrie, and Ferrier were the best forwards. The early start and extreme cold restricted the attendance to about 8000.

A DING-DONG STRUGGLE.

The first thrill was provided when McClory fielded a centre by Smith, and shortly afterwards Macfarlane was wide when he attempted to first-time another cross from the left-winger. Aberdeen persisted in their attack, and McClory, at the foot of the post, brought off a fine save from Love. Following this Smith had two shots blocked in quick succession. At the other end McHale cleared from Ferrier's cross, and then a fast shot by McMurtrie was tipped ever the bar by Blackwell. After McClory had again been in action the home goal had a narrow escape, Blackwell bringing off a great save from Stevenson at close quarters, when the forward had only the goalkeeper in front. Motherwell attacked for a time, but the Aberdeen defence was exceptionally sound, and little of a dangerous nature reached Blackwell. A tremendous shot by Smith rebounded for a corner off McClory, and after Stevenson and Craig had missed Blackwell's goal, Macfarlane sent in a great swerving shot which McClory managed to turn round the post. Aberdeen maintained the attack, and Smith twice sent terrific shots against the Motherwell goalkeeper. In a break-away Blackwell saved cleverly from Cameron, and later a goalmouth pass from Ferrier was missed by attack and defence alike. After 55 minutes' play Aberdeen took the lead. Smith centred, and Love, catching on cleverly, lifted the ball over Little's head to run on and find the net with a lovely left-foot drive, the ball finding the net off the post. Blackwell averted an immediate equaliser when he stopped a shot from Kennan from short range. End-to-end play followed, Love and Thackeray just missing with good shots at either end, but there was no further scoring at the interval.

A DISPUTED GOAL.

Motherwell set up a vigorous attack when the game resumed, and fallowing a corner Blackwell stopped a dangerous deader from Stevenson. In another attack by the visitors Bruce disturbed McMurtrie in the act of shooting, and the ball went wide, and later Stevenson sent high with a great first-time shot. After having been kept defending for a time Aberdeen again took up the attack, and Smith headed into McClory's hands. In a counter raid Keenan had a header saved by Blackwell. After 15 minutes' play Aberdeen got a second goal, Smith from close range crashing the ball into the net after a scrimmage in front of the Motherwell goal. The visitors claimed that an infringement had previously been committed, but the referee, after consulting his linesmen, awarded the goal. This reverse spurred the visitors to greater effort, and for a time the home defence was hotly besieged. They survived the ordeal, however, and Aberdeen came again. After Cosgrove had headed against the woodwork, the home attack forced three corners in quick succession, but these were unproductive. In the closing stages Aberdeen played as if they might increase their lead, but the Motherwell defence prevailed, and there was no further scoring.

Source: Press & Journal, 19th December 1927