Third Lanark 3 - 0 Aberdeen

Defeat Dons Might Have Averted

Aberdeen's supported had another bitter pill to swallow on Saturday when their favourites fell to Third Lanark at Cathkin by the clean-cut margin of three goals. To nil.
Had the Dons fallen to a better football team one would not have complained, but the Thirds, without Dewar, were no better than, if as good as the Pittodrie combine.
Yet they won easily, and one has not fat to look for an explanation
The Warriors accepted the chances that came their way, while the Dons unbelievably inept near goal.
Delightful and accurate passing time and again took Aberdeen to the Cathkin goal area, but arrived there they bunched together like sheep, and the Thirds defenders cleared their lines at will.
The number of really good shots by the Aberdeen forwards during the game could be counted on one hand.
This lack of penetration on the part of the Pittodrie attack has been only too obvious in recent games, and until it is remedied the Dons are not likely to collect ,amy more point this season.

Inside Men to Blame.

The youthful inside trio Mills, Adam, and Beattie - must shoulder the major part of the responsibility for the lack of finish to the attack. They persisted in working within a few yards of one another, and the result was that the Thirds defence, instead of having to watch the wings as well as the middle, were able to concentrate on the centre of the field, and thus blotted out the Aberdeen attack.
McLean on the extreme left revealed glimpses of his best form, and gave the impression he might be dangerous, but for long spells he was neglected by his colleagues.
Johnston combined nicely with Beattie at times, and his centres were always fraught with danger, but he must impart more dash into his play.
The Aberdeen defence, too, disappointed after a confident opening. They may have become discouraged because of the poor showing of the forwards; at any rate two of the goals were scored as the result of bad covering on their part.
Fraser and Godfrey showed their best form in the first half when they displayed a pleasing understanding with the forwards. They too, however, fell away after the interval.

McGill Better Back.

Falloon, in a destructive sense played well, but, as usual, he was seldom seen in a constructive capacity.
McGill, who tackled strongly and kicked cleanly, was the better back, Cooper never settling against Breslin and McKenzie.
Third Lanark were no better and no worse than an average First Division side. They also displayed a lack of "snap" at goalmouth, but it was not so apparent as the fecklessness of Aberdeen.
Taylor was a sound 'keeper, and Warden was the surer of two backs who had their work made easy for them.
McLellan took the honours at half, while the left wing pair Breslin and McKenzie were most dangerous in attack.
The Dons had the better of the exchanges in the opening half, and had they possessed a marksman of ability they would have been leading at the interbal.
As It was Third Lanark held a one-goal advantage. The point would never have been scored had Fraser or Cooper marked McKenzie who headed home from a Brown corner.

Smith at Fault.

The second half saw the Warriors take their full share the play, and with five minutes gone another goal was scored. Smith was at fault on this occasion. He completely missed another Brown corner, and Breslin headed into the net.
The Dons might still have saved the game had they opened opened out play, but they continued to indulge in close passing. When, McFarlane caught the defence at a disadvantage and scored a third goal it was all over.

Source: Press & Journal, 13th February 1933