Motherwell 5 - 0 Aberdeen

Cooper and Merrie Added to List of Casualties.

DONALD AND DICKIE IMPRESS.

With a team that included only four of their Cup-tie eleven, Aberdeen fell heavily in their postponed League game with Motherwell at Fir Park yesterday, when they were beaten by 5-0.

There were 3000 spectators, and these saw a game in which fortune fluctuated in the first-half, when Aberdeen's youngsters put up a great fight against Motherwell's full League team, but before the interval they lost the services of Cooper, who pulled a muscle and had to retire for the remainder of the game.
Aberdeen's misfortunes did not end in the first half, as, during the last fifteen minutes of the game, they lost the services of Merrie, who had an ankle damaged in collision and also had to go off.

An Early Blow.

Aberdeen sustained a blow in the first three minutes when, after clever play by Stevenson, Ferrier centred and McFadyen brushed the ball past Cumming, who might have averted the score had he left his charge.
After that reverse Aberdeen came away in great style. Love, Dickie, Donald and Falloon pushing home the attack in great style.
On several occasions they had the more experienced Motherwell defence in great trouble, and, had there been more punch in the centre, they must at least have equalised.
The home goal had a particularly lucky escape on one occasion when Smith sent in a terrific shot off which the ball hit David on the back and bounded over the bar, when McClory must have been beaten.

Flattered by Lead.

It was only after Cooper had been forced to retire that Motherwell obtained a second goal. Following a raid by the Motherwell right wing, McLaren, to find relief, returned to cumming, who was unprepared, and only sent the ball to the feet of Stevenson, who netted from close in.
At the interval Motherwell were flattered by their 2-0 lead, as, territorially, Aberdeen had fully more of the play.
The absence of Cooper, in the second half, proved a serious handicap to Aberdeen. Smith went to left back and they played four forwards.

Numbers Told.

As was only to be expected, numbers and superior craft of Motherwell told in the second half. They increased their lead in three minutes, when Stevenson had a ground shot deflected into the net off a colleague's leg. A fourth goal quickly followed, but it should never have been allowed.
McFadyen was obviously offside when his header enabled Stevenson to race ahead and complete his hat trick.
It was after this that Merrie was injured, and following his retirement Motherwell got a fifth goal, Cumming missing a cross from Murdoch and McFadyen heading through.

Greater Experience.

While Motherwell deserved their big victory, it was only their greater experience that carried them through.
Cumming, although saving well on occasion, was not blameless for the heavy reverse. Cooper, who was injured early in the game, and pluckily carried on for over half an hour, could not do himself justice, but Jackson played finely throughout.
At half-back, while McLaren was the mainstay, the "discovery" was Donald, who played a fine game on the right, and Falloon, as usual, was his energetic self.
In attack Love and Dickie were the only ones to do themselves justice. The right winger was always dangerous, and Dickie plied him well.

Motherwell Team.

Motherwell were often upset in defence in the course of the first half, when their goal was lucky to escape downfall. McClory was none too safe at times, and Johnman was the better back.
In the intermediate line Craig and Telfer were always outstanding, and of the forwards Stevenson and Ferrier were on their own as a wing.

Source: Press & Journal, 10th February 1931