Morton 3 - 5 Aberdeen

SMITH AND STRAUSS DANGER WING

DEFENCE WITHOUT CONFIDENCE

Against Morton at Greenock on Saturday the Aberdeen forwards retained their cleverness but dispensed with the pattern-weaving in the vicinity of the penalty area. That this change to more direct methods was a success is proved by the result.
The attackers made the ball do the work, and not only did this increase the speed of their movements and have an upsetting influence on the Morton defence, but it also prevented bunching in the goalmouth, a fault that has had not a little to do with the lack of success of the Dons' forward line.

QUICK OFF THE MARK

Aberdeen got off to a flying start. They took the lead in two minutes, and were three goals up in fourteen minutes, but when it is mentioned that Morton were only a goal behind at one stage in the second half it will be realised that the Dons did not have matters all their own way. Actually the issue was in doubt until Aberdeen got their fifth goal.
The heavy ground took its toll of the players' energy in the second half, and the pace slowed up. but in the first period the exchanges were fast and keen and there was an abundance of thrills. Goals came with bewildering rapidity, six being scored in the opening twenty-nine minutes.
Play had been in progress only two minutes when the Dons went ahead. Accepting a slip from Armstrong, Warnock ran almost to the corner flag before centring. Stewart could only palm the ball out, and Armstrong fastened on to send into the net.
In nine minutes came a spectacular goal from Strauss. The South African beat Maley to a neat through pass by Smith, and sent the ball crashing into the net while going at full speed.
Morton were given no chance to recover from these blows, and in fourteen minutes the Dons were three goals up.

SMART WORK

This point was the result of a very slick piece of work. Strauss raced in to his own half of the field, gathered the ball, and slung it up the middle. Armstrong, standing side on, never allowed the ball to touch the ground, but with a neat backheel flick sent it on to Smith, who ran on to beat Stewart.
Morton had been fighting vigorously to reduce the leeway, and they succeeded in eighteen minutes when Black netted after a shot by McGarry had crashed against the underside of the crossbar. The Dons regained their three goals' lead in twenty-four minutes. Following a scrimmage in the goalmouth the ball came out to Smith who, taking it first time, sent it into the net at terrific speed.
Five minutes later Morton scored a second goal, Black guiding home a neat cross from McGarry. The score thus stood 4-2 in Aberdeen's favour at the interval.
Thrills were lacking in the second half until, with thirteen minutes played, Morton reduced the Dons' lead to a single goal. At full stretch Johnstone managed to push away a try by Black with one hand, but while the 'keeper was still in a sitting position Leckie rushed in to crash the ball against him, and it rebounded into the net.
The game was lost and won when Warnock easily scored a fifth goal for Aberdeen following smart work by Armstrong and Strauss. This last goal came in nineteen minutes.

McGILL HURT

In the closing stages McGill, the Aberdeen right back, received a muscle injury, and went to outside right. Thomson went to right back, and Warnock to left half.
While there was a decided improvement in the play of the Aberdeen forwards in this match the same, unfortunately, cannot be said of the defence. Johnstone in goal played well, but both backs were shaky. McGill was up against the best Morton forward in McGarry, and had a busy afternoon, while Newton, although plucky, was lacking in confidence.
None of the half-backs were brilliant. Falloon in his usual role of third back was only mediocre, and Thomson, the best of the trio, has played better. Dunlop worked hard, but has yet to recapture his best form.
Ritchie Smith fully justified his selection at inside left, and it is difficult to see how he can be dropped on this display. He may lack polish, but has any amount of dash, and he is ever ready to try a shot. He and Strauss worked well in partnership.
Armstrong was in sprightly mood, and his ball control and distribution were first-rate. He scored once, but might have had another in the second half, when he was clean through from a pass by Smith, and sent against the 'keeper who had left his charge.

RETURN TO FORM

Strauss was the swashbuckling winger of old at Greenock. He was fast, clever and dangerous, and altogether gave the Morton defence an uncomfortable time. Warnock, on the right, was smart on the ball, and had the beating of the back, but McKenzie, his partner, disappointed, and was the poorest of the quintette.
Morton must be given full marks for their dash and do-or-die spirit. Their defence was unimpressive, and this weakness was chiefly responsible for their defeat.
Maley was the better of two poor backs, while Kennedy was the most successful middleman. Most of the danger in attack came from the left, where Smith and McGarry struck up a happy combination. The extreme winger was the outstanding forward. Although lacking in craft Black was a nippy leader, and took his goals well.

Source: Press & Journal, 25th October 1937