St. Johnstone 1 - 1 Aberdeen

St Johnstone's Equaliser Comes Six Minutes From End.

SMITH MISJUDGES FLIGHT OF LOB BY TENNANT.

Until six minutes from the end Aberdeen were leading. At this point Tennant lobbed the ball towards goal, Smith misjudged its flight, and it came to rest in the back of the net.

On play St Johnstone were value a draw, but they were palpably weak at close quarters. Although they did the bulk of the pressing, the Dons when they got going were the more dangerous-looking side.
The Aberdeen defence came through a trying ordeal with colours flying. The hero was Falloon, who dominated the centre of the field and time and again, with head and feet, relieved dangerous situations.
Smith in goal spoiled an otherwise good display when he failed to reach that lob of Tennant's which gave Saints a point.
Cooper was the better of two goods backs, while Fraser was a strong half.
Ritchie, who was making his debut in the League team, showed promising form.

Armstrong Shines.

Armstrong, who scored a neat goal, was the best of an attack which did not impress.
Beynon and Ritchie Smith changed places for this game. The Welshman, who is suffering from an ankle injury, tried hard.
Smith failed to touch his best form. Moore played fairly well at inside-right, but Adam, who deputised for Mills, did little of note.
St Johnstone were well served in defence by Welsh, Mason, and Campbell. In a clever but punchless attack Dickie and H. Ferguson were best.

Sound Defence.

With the advantage of the wind St Johnstone pressed steadily at the start, but, thanks to the sound marking of the Aberdeen halves and backs, they failed get in touch with Steve Smith.
In their first breakaway the Dons missed a chance. Armstrong, after working his way out to the left, squared and Moore lifted the ball high over.
The Perth men maintained the offensive, and one golden opportunity was lost. Beattie was the culprit.
He got a fine pass from A. Ferguson, rounded Falloon, and then "duffed" his shot with the goal at his mercy.
A quick counter-attack by the visitors saw Adam go through to send wide when might have done better.
Several corners fell to the Saints, but these were not improved upon. The homesters held a big territorial advantage, but failed to find a chink in the Pittodrie defensive armour.
Two free-kicks just outside the penalty area taken by Tennant and Campbell threatened danger which never materialised.

Best Try.

The best try of the match came five minutes from the interval, when a terrific shot by H. Ferguson completely beat Smith and crashed against the underside of the crossbar. It was a narrow escape.
St Johnstone tried desperately to take the lead, but always an Aberdeen defender got between the ball and the goal.
One minute after the restart the Dons took the lead. Adam carried the ball from his own half of the field right into the penalty area, despite a desperate challenge by Mason. The inside-left slipped the ball through to Armstrong, and before Welsh could tackle him the centre placed the ball neatly in the corner the net.

Exciting Scrimmage.

Immediately after there was an exciting scrimmage in the Aberdeen goalmouth.
Smith was charging all over the penalty area in an effort to get his hands the ball, and there was a sigh of relief when Campbell lobbed the ball past.
Following another spell of strong St Johnstone pressure Armstrong made a solo bid down the middle.
Blyth, out of his charge, managed to get one hand to the ball and Ritchie Smith sent against the outside net.
A Dickie cross had the Aberdeen goal in danger. Hampered by Beattie Smith could only punch the ball down and Falloon cleared the goal line.
The Saints tried all they knew to get on level terms, and in another determined assault the defence was opened up and Smith rushed from his charge to block a Beattie shot with his body.

Smith's Good Work.

Play swung from end to end for a spell, and Steve Smith distinguished himself with excellent saves from Mason and Beattie.
Six minutes from the end the Saints drew level Dickie did the spade work and slipped the ball to Tennant. The winger's high lob beat Smith and landed in the net.

Source: Press & Journal, 4th April 1935