Third Lanark 2 - 0 Aberdeen

Third Lanark proved themselves a go-ahead if not brilliant side. They made the ball do the work and deserved their victory. They had a sound 'keeper in Muir, and the best back afield in Carabine. The wing halves, Blair and McInnes, played big part in their team's victory by their fine forcing work. McInnes especially was a power both in defence and attack. Simpson and Kennedy comprised a dangerous right wing. The extreme winger was fast and clever and the inside man a shrewd schemer. Dewar, who led the attack, appeared a trifle slow and was prone to hold oh to the ball too long. Kinnaird, at outside-left, made ground smartly ,and crossed many dangerous balls, but Jones, his partner, did not respond too well.

DONS' LESSON STILL UNLEARNT - ALL CULPRITS BUT M'KENZIE

Aberdeen forwards must shoulder chief responsibility for the defeat at Cathkin. Third Lanark could not be grudged their victory, yet on play there was not two goals between the teams.
The Dons' forward line, which included only McKenzie of last season's recognised League quintette, failed to accept their chances. With the advantage of a strong wind in the first half, Aberdeen should have held a substantial lead at the interval. As it was, they were two goals behind.

"TIP-TAP" PLAY

Lack of finishing power was the Dons' weakness. The attackers indulged in too much close passing, and were prone to bunch in the penalty area.
Time and again they got within striking distance of the "Warriors' " goal, but instead of forcing home the attack they insisted in passing and re-passing the ball and even went the length of bringing the wing half-backs into play rather than shoot.
After the interval the team as a whole became more lively, but although there were more attempts at goal-getting the players continued to employ close tactics when, had they altered their style of play, goals would almost certainly have come.
None of the injured players will be fit to take the field against Third Lanark at Pittodrie on Wednesday in the return game, and if the Dons mean to reverse Saturday's result the forwards will have to adopt a more open style of play, and will have to shoot for goal at every opportunity.
Third Lanark's opening goal came after twenty-eight minutes' play. Dewar flicked a Kinnaird cross to Kennedy, who was lying between Falloon and Temple, and the inside-right scored from close range.
Ten minutes from the interval McInnes increased the home total from a penalty kick. The spot-kick was awarded when Jones went down in tackle with Fraser, and in the circumstances it seemed rather a harsh decision.

WARNOCK'S EFFORT

Aberdeen's best efforts at goal during this period were when Muir saved at full stretch from Warnock, and when Scott shot straight at the 'keeper after McKenzie had made the opening.
In the opening minutes of the second half McKenzie was unfortunate with a good try which struck the upright, and later Lang shot wildly over when he might have done better.
Dewar should have increased the home total when Kinnaird presented him with a glorious chance and he shot past.
The Aberdeen defence as whole was steadier than in recent games. Johnstone had no chance with the goals and had a number of good saves. Cooper was the more confident back, Temple being weak in the tackle, although his kicking was clean.
The play of the half-backs was not particularly impressive. Fraser was the better of two mediocre wing halves, but both he and Thomson have often been more effective. Falloon was strong in defence and saw to it that Dewar got few chances.
McKenzie alone of the forwards impressed. The inside-right gave a fine display. He forced on the attack splendidly and his clever ball control and neat footwork made him a continual source of trouble to the Third Lanark defence. Shooting has never been a strong point with McKenzie, but he seemed more likely to score than any of the others on Saturday.
Warnock was clever and enterprising in the first half and early in the second period, but later he was seldom prominent. It was from the right wing, however, that most of the danger came.

SCOTT WORKED

Armstrong was missed at centre forward. Scott, who deputised, did not spare himself, but he was slow and rarely threatened danger.
Devine was not nearly so effective as against Partick Thistle and Clyde. His passes too often went astray and his willingness to shoot, which characterised his previous appearances in the League side, was seldom in evidence.
Lang, on the extreme left, had several possible scoring chances, but these he wasted by reckless shooting.
Third Lanark proved themselves a go-ahead if not brilliant side. They made the ball do the work and deserved their victory. They had a sound ?keeper in Muir, and the best back afield in Carabine.
The wing halves, Blair and McInnes, played a big part in their team?s victory by their fine forcing work. McInnes especially was a power both in defence and attack.
Simpson and Kennedy comprised a dangerous right wing. The extreme winger was fast and clever and the inside man a shrewd schemer. Dewar, who led the attack, appeared a trifle slow and was prone to hold on to the ball too long.
Kinnaird at outside-left, made ground smartly and crossed many dangerous balls, but Jones, his partner, did not respond too well.

Source: Press & Journal, 6th September 1937