Aberdeen 1 - 0 Rangers

And They Could Have Beaten Rangers by a Bigger Margin

DONS GET THE POINTS

Thrilling Encounter With Rangers

FINAL OFFENSIVE THAT FAILED

Aberdeen leading 1-0 with ten minutes to go and Rangers launching a fierce offensive an effort to save the day. It was a thrilling climax to the much-talked-of and vital match between these rivals for championship honours. The Light Blues attacked en masse while the Dons packed their goal in an effort to retain their lead. As time drew near the crowd of 34,500, a record for a League match at Pittodrie, became wildly excited and every time an Aberdeen player booted the ball away from the danger zone he was cheered by the spectators.

Defence Prevails

Defence prevailed, and thus did Aberdeen strengthen their bid for honours, while at the same time dealing a severe blow to that of Rangers. Not since season 1925-1926 had the Dons chronicled a victory over the Light Blues. Beynon was the scorer of the all-Important goal, but much of the credit must go to McKenzie. The inside-right carried the ball from the centre of the field and sent between the backs to Beynon, who had cut in from the wing. The Welshman gathered the ball to beat Dawson with a hard drive. Aberdeen fully merited their victory. They held decided territorial advantage, and on play and on chances their margin of victory ought to have been more decisive. Two gilt-edged opportunities were allowed to slip in the first half. On the first occasion over-eagerness prevented a score. Beynon broke away on the right as the result of a Mills pass and sent across a splendid centre. Lang and Armstrong both went for the ball and in the resultant mix-up one or the other lofted the ball over from practically under the bar. Beynon was the sinner in the second Instance. Smart work by Lang and Armstrong left the outside-right in possession a few yards from goal, but he was overcome an attack of nerves, and twice kicked the ground instead of the ball. Rangers were handicapped by an injury to McPhail, who went to outside-left about twenty minutes after the start, and Smith was badly missed at centre-forward. The Light Blues defence put up a courageous fight, but luck was with them on numerous occasions, when likely scoring shots were either blocked or diverted. The visitors did not play like champions, and there will have to be considerable improvement if they are to have any hopes of making up the leeway between themselves and Aberdeen and Celtic. In Smith, Cooper, McGill and Falloon Aberdeen possessed an excellent defensive quartette. The 'keeper was not nearly so busy as Dawson in the other goal, but he handled confidently, while the backs made no mistakes. Cooper saw to it that the Rangers' left wing seldom threatened danger, and McGill, who tackled resolutely, kept a wary eye on Main. Falloon was a first-class defensive pivot. Fast and nippy, he timed his tackles perfectly, and neither Drysdale nor Gillick were allowed any scope. The wing halves, and Thomson, worked tremendously hard to hold the Rangers attacks, and also lent their forwards good support. Fraser showed a big improvement on recent form.