Aberdeen 0 - 1 Motherwell

Aberdeen's defeat by the only goal of a vigorously contested match at Pittodrie Park by Motherwell was not unexpected so far as the result was concerned, but the closeness of the match gave satisfaction to many of the 16,000 spectators. Motherwell deserved their victory, for they played well for it, though it was more by good luck than by strenuous effort that Telfer scored with a header from Murdoch's pass. It was well for them that they could place such implicit reliance on the steadiness of Dowall and Ellis, their never disconcerted backs, and in their custodian, McGlory. Where they showed to best advantage, however, was in their persistence of attack. Craig, Wales and Telfer, the half-backs, fully realised the importance of keeping the forwards well supplied with the ball, and Ferrier and Stevenson on the left wing especially showed thorough understanding in pressing home advantages. It was the good defence of Cooper and McGill, aided by the custodian, Smith, which kept their opponents at bay. Aberdeen's rearranged front line gave considerable satisfaction. Love, put back in his old position on the right wing, showed that he understood the advantages of the wing-to-wing long-passing game because more than once it gave the Motherwell defence some anxiety. McLean, on the left wing, was equally keen on that game. Armstrong, at centre-forward, was too well watched to do anything effective.

Source: The Scotsman, 25th January 1932

Motherwell defeated Aberdeen by the only goal of the game of a hardly contested game at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen. The visitors took some time to settle down, but were value for their win on their second-half display. Aberdeen put up a plucky fight, the inclusion of the young players Adam and Beattie and the return of Love to the outside position strengthening the attack.
The finer touches of the game were provided by the League leaders, the home team for the most part adopting spoiling tactics. Motherwell, however, were inclined to play too closely in the fist half, and found that this policy did not pay against the breaking-up tactics of the Aberdeen half-backs. The visitors opened up play after the interval and accounted for the bulk of the pressure. It was midway through this period that Telfer got the all-important goal with a header off a cross by Murdoch.

Stevenson the Schemer

Dowall was the better of the Motherwell backs and Craig was prominent in the half-back line. Stevenson was the schemer in the attack. He kept swinging the ball to the right, and it was from this quarter that most danger threatened. Macfadyen was too well watched by Falloon to be dangerous. The young Irishman excelled as a breaker-up, and was outstanding among the home half-backs. Cooper vied with Dowall as the best back, and Love and Adam were the pick of the forwards. Armstrong got little scope and changed places with McLean in the closing stages.

Source: Glasgow Herald, 25th January 1932

ABERDEEN FAIL AT HOME.

Snap Goal Decides the Issue.

Aberdeen's rearranged team put up a plucky but futile fight at Pittodrie, where they ran Motherwell to the only goal. About 15,000 what was always an interesting struggle, in which clever attacks were countered by sound defence.

While Aberdeen could not have been grudged a draw, Motherwell deserved to win. They were the better-balanced side, and their team work, particularly the co-operation between their half-backs and forwards, was superior to that of Aberdeen.

How Play Ruled.

Motherwell forced the pace at the start, and Stevenson went close with a fine shot. In an Aberdeen rush Beattie sent into McClory's hands, and Ellis did well to head clear from McLean. An effort by Armstrong was blocked by Craig, and later Love's shot was deflected by Dowall.
Subsequently Motherwell developed clever combination. and McFadyen just missed with a header. A great shot by Fraser was deflected over the bar by McClory, who, following the flag kick, gathered a fast ground shot by Beattie.
Motherwell attacked for a time, but Aberdeen defended brilliantly, and Smith had a comparatively easy time. A corner kick well placed by Love saw McClory tip the ball over the bar, and, following the subsequent flag kick, the Motherwell defence found relief through a free kick.

Narrow Escape.

The home goal had a narrow escape when, following a Ferrier cross, Murdoch had a header brilliantly deflected by Smith. Later the Aberdeen 'keeper again distinguished himself when, at full length, he stopped a fierce free kick by Ferrier.
Love and McLean the home extreme wings were both in good form. A cross from the first-named was turned into 'corner ' by Dowall just as McLean was about to fasten on, and in another raid McLean sent over a centre which eluded several players until Love fastened on to send behind. Towards the interval Aberdeen were attacking, but at close quarters failed to press home their advantage, and the period ended without a score.

Brisk Attacks.

Following the interval Motherwell set up brisk attacks, and Moffat sent against the post. Later Smith at the second attempt got rid of a dangerous ball from Ferrier. Aberdeen were kept on the defensive for a time, but subsequently they broke away on the right, and McClory had to deal with a ground shot by Adam. Afterwards the visitors again took up the attack, and McGill nipped in opportunely when McFadyen had the goal at his mercy. Following this there was another Aberdeen revival. Love was sprightly on the right, and Craig was prominent with strong defensive work.

Winning Goal.

Twenty-one minutes had gone when Craig let Murdoch away, and the winger centred for McFadyen to head brilliantly into the net.
The visitors almost increased their lead a minute later, Smith saving on the line from McFadyen.
McLean and Armstrong changed places in the home attack, and the change made for improvement.
The new centre-forward forced a corner, and Beattie headed over. Ballantyne had a long-range effort fielded by McClory, and later Adam sent past from favourable position. Falloon joined up with the attack in an effort to save the game, but to no purpose, as the Motherwell defence was sound in all departments.

Best Players.

Aberdeen were splendidly served by Smith, Cooper, and McGill. At centre-half Falloon shone as a breaker-up, but was deficient in constructive policy. Fraser showed up well at times, but Ballantyne was weak at left half. Love and McLean were easily the best forwards, but Adam and Beattie showed clever touches. Armstrong in the centre was overshadowed by Craig.
In a good all-round Motherwell team, the outstanding players were Dowall, Ellis, Craig, Wales, Stevenson, and Murdoch.

Source: Press & Journal, 25th January 1932