Aberdeen 1 - 3 Kilmarnock

Aberdeen Well Beaten by Kilmarnock.

FORWARDS INEPT AT GOALMOUTH.

Aberdeen gave their worst display of the season against Kilmarnock at Pittodrie yesterday, and were deservedly beaten by three goals to one.

From goal out, the Dons were an unimpressive company and Kilmarnock taught them an object lesson in the art of taking chances.
One point out of a possible eight represents the fruits of Aberdeen's labours in their last four matches This is not good enough. Aberdeen is one the best supported clubs in the Scottish League and should be able field a team second to none. There have been obvious weaknesses in the Aberdeen team for some time, and unless the Aberdeen directors do something to remedy them, the Dons may be fighting to escape relegation.

Drastic Action Needed.

Drastic action is needed. The directors must set about strengthening their team right away, and forwards should be their first concern.
Westland had little chance with the balls that beat him but did not altogether inspire confidence. It must be borne in mind, however, that he was making his first appearance in the League team.
Cooper and McGill played steadily at back and it was unfortunate that the only slips made by them should lead to the Kilmarnock goals. Both were opposed by fast wingers, in Keane and Black, and they held their own, although Keane, at outside-left, threatened danger whenever he got the ball.
Falloon was the best a poor half-back line, and even he has played better. He was opposed by a clever centre-forward in Robertson, the former Dundee and Birmingham player, but time and again he saved the Aberdeen goal from downfall.
Fraser and Thomson, the wing-halves, were poor both in defence and attack. They failed to hold the lively Rugby Park forwards and passes meant for their team mates in front more often than not went astray.
As against Celtic on Saturday, the forwards were a disjointed quintette, with Beynon and Smith the best. Aberdeen's need of strong bustling inside-forward was again made evident, Warnock, Armstrong and Mills were completely subdued. They were clever enough in the outfield but when near goal they never looked like scoring.

Smith Impresses.

Only Beynon and Smith seemed likely to score, and it was fitting that the outside left should get Aberdeen's only goal. The former East End player did not get many chances, but he showed that he could shoot when the opportunity arose.
Kilmarnock were not a brilliant combination, but they were unquestionably superior to Aberdeen on the day's play. Miller was a safe keeper and he was ably protected by Leslie and Milloy.
Smith, the Scottish international pivot, impressed at half-back, but Kelvin and Ross, two young players, were not far behind.
The forwards were clever, and although the wingers got the goals, the scheming of Williamson and Beattie, the inside forwards, had not a little to do with the Rugby Parkers' success.
Play in the first half was featureless, and it was mostly a case of the defences being too good for the attacks. A try by Beynon was the only incident of note in the first fifteen minutes. The winger raced in to head a lob by Fraser goalwards, but Miller was ready.
Minutes later the keeper dealt confidently with a try by Smith. Mills had a clever effort after beating three or four opponents.
A few minutes from the interval, with Aberdeen attacking, Ross kicked the ball clear from a scrimmage. Keane, who was lying near midfield, gathered the ball, outwitted Cooper, and raced through unchallenged to beat Westland.

Kilmarnock Confident.

Aberdeen were the aggressors on the re-start, but the goal had given Kilmarnock confidence and they were soon back at Westland's end.
After seven minutes a miskick by McGill gave Black an opportunity. The outside right ran on, and despite the attentions of Falloon sent the ball into the far corner of the net, well out Westland's reach.
It all Kilmarnock now, and five minutes later Keane scored a third from a cross by Black.
The Dons were desperate, but their efforts were unrewarded until twenty minutes from the end, when Smith nipped in to send a cross by Beynon into the net via the post.

Source: Press & Journal, 25th September 1934