Aberdeen 2 - 1 Clyde

But Lack of Thrust at Close Quarters Evident.

A penalty goal gave Aberdeen victory. The score suggest that the teams were evenly matched, but this was not the case. Aberdeen held the balance of play and might have won by two or three goals. Two factors contributed to the narrowness of the victory - bad luck and lack of thrust at close quarters.

Winning the toss, Clyde took advantage of the wind and rain, and when smart work by McCulloch and Johnston saw Donaldson score smartly from the latter's pass, things did not look too promising for the homesters.
Shortly after this, however, the wind fell considerably, and Aberdeen took a grip of matters. The defence presented a solid front to the Clyde attack, and with the half-backs and forwards working harmoniously, the Dons were seen to advantage.
Time and again the neat combination of the Aberdeen had the Shawfield half-backs and defence I trouble, and had the Dons been able to round off their smart outfield play they would have held a substantial lead at the interval.

Mills' Counter.

As It was they got on level terms in twenty-nine minutes as the result of a smart goal by Mills. The inside-left picked up a return from Armstrong, brushed through between the backs and whipped the ball into the net.
It must admitted that the Dons did not have the best of luck during this period. There were three occasions when a slight turn of fortune's wheel might have brought a goal.
Just prior to the equaliser, Smith headed a Benyon the cross against the upright with Stevenson beaten, while shortly after Mills' goal Benyon smashed the ball against the crossbar. Then there was a disallowed goal five minutes before the interval.
Armstrong raced through to find the net, and although the Aberdeen protested strongly against the referee's decision he remained adamant.
When the Dons took the lead through Armstrong from a penalty five minutes after the start of the second period, it was expected that they would win by a decisive margin.

Courageous Clyde Defence.

They certainly continued to have the better of the exchanges, but a courageous Clyde defence, combined with their own indecisiveness at goalmouth, kept them from increasing their lead.
Although outclassed, Clyde were game and their spasmodic raids always threatened danger. In the closing stages they cam near snatching the equaliser, Smith pushing out a Johnston try and Donaldson sending against the prostrate keeper.
Compared with the Clyde defence, Aberdeen's had a fairly easy time. Thanks to Cooper and McGill, who both played with confidence and skill, Smith in goal was seldom called upon.
Falloon was tower of strength and was responsible for the breaking up of numerous Clyde attacks.
There was an improvement in the play of the wing halves. Both Thomson and Fraser were seen more often than usual in attack, especially in the first half.
During this period Thomson touched his best form, carrying the ball forward and slipping it through to the attackers in fine style.
Fraser was little behind, although he was prone to keep the ball too much in the air.
Beynon on the right wing was in sprightly mood, and along with Warnock comprised the best wing afield. The Welshman showed a good turn of speed and crossed some fine balls.
Mills was seen at his best in the first twenty-five minutes, when he worked the ball cleverly and made good use of the cross-field pass.
Ritchie Smith beat his man smartly on occasions, but was inclined to be excitable when near goal.
Armstrong spent the afternoon trying to elude Wood, but the burly Clyde pivot refused to be shaken off.

Wholehearted Display

The Clyde defence is due credit for a wholehearted display against heavy odds. Stevenson was not to blame for the two goal, that were scored, while Summers and Smith both played strongly.
The wing halves, PcPhail and Carroll, did not impress and lent their forwards little assistance.
Donaldson was a sprightly leader, and had he been given more support he might have got more goals.
McCulloch and Douglas flashed into prominence at long intervals, and Johnston showed smart touches at times, but as a line they were lacking in cohesion.

Source: Press & Journal, 5th November 1934