Kilmarnock 3 - 3 Aberdeen

ABERDEEN RECOVER IN TIME

RECONSTRUCTED XI. HAS SPIRIT

Three goals down and twenty-one minutes to go! Aberdeen's task against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Saturday seemed well-nigh impossible, but the Dons fought back to such good purpose that seven minutes from the end they were on level terms.
It was a remarkable "come-back." After being outplayed in the first half, Aberdeen improved after the interval, but few, if any, of the 6000 spectators imagined for a moment that they would share the points.

DEFENCE COLLAPSES

Kilmarnock's failure to achieve success was due to the collapse of the defence. Just as the Aberdeen defence was found wanting in the first half under pressure, so was Kilmarnock's in the second period.
Drastic changes were made in the Aberdeen team for Saturday's match, but these did not remedy the weaknesses which have been in evidence all season. The team as constituted on Saturday was far from being a championship combine, but there can be no dubiety in regard to the fighting spirit of the players.
The Dons were seldom in the hunt the first period. On a greasy surface the home half-backs and forwards kept the ball swinging. Aberdeen were forced on the defensive, and 3-0 lead at the interval in no way exaggerated Killie's superiority.
The homesters took the lead in fourteen minutes. Thomson chased the ball which seemed likely to cross the by-line, gained possession and turned it into the middle for Collins to jab it into the net.

HARD LUCK JOHNSTONE

Seven minutes later a free kick against Mills, on the right of the penalty area near the by-line, led to a second goal. Thomson took the kick, and although Johnstone at full length got his hands the ball, he failed to hold it, and it crossed the goal-line.
Twenty-five minutes after the start Kilmarnock got a third goal. A flag-kick by Thomson was deflected across the goalmouth by a home attacker, and McAvoy headed into the net.
Aberdeen relinquished the role defenders for that of attackers in the second half. Half-backs and forwards moved up to the attack, and although there was an improvement in their play it was not until they got their first goal that they had the home team in difficulties.
Mills opened their account but it was a concerted forward movement that led to the goal. The ball travelled right along the forward line and Warnock had a shot blocked before he raced to retrieve the ball as it was running out of play and screwed it into the goalmouth for Mills to net with ease.

GROUND SHOT GETS THERE

In thirty-four minutes the Dons got a second goal. A determined attack was held up, but the ball came out to Fraser, who found the net with grounder from twenty yards range.
Despair had turned to hope in the Aberdeen ranks, and with Kilmarnock back on their heels the Dons made a great bid for the equaliser. It came after Hunter had saved a magnificent drive from Warnock. Mills gave Scott possession and the burly centre barged his way through the home defence to save a point for his side. This goal came seven minutes from the end.
Aberdeen's defensive play was not impressive. The marking was bad and the defence, as a whole, was shaky under pressure. Johnstone, in goal, had one or two splendid saves, but he was at fault when Kilmarnock secured their second counter.
McGill had neither the speed nor the guile to check Thomson, and although Cooper was more successful against Roberts, he did not inspire confidence. Falloon found his lack of speed handicap against the dashing Gillespie, but it says much for his tenacity that the centre did not score.

BEST HALF

Fraser was the best half-back and put in tremendous amount of work in attack in the second half. Thomson had a poor first half, when he spoiled many movements by short passing- After the interval, however, he was strong forceful player.
Strauss was the most dangerous forward in the first half and Warnock took the honours in the second. The South African's speed and unorthodoxy were disconcerting to the Killie defence, but he seems to have lost his flair for scoring spectacular goals.
Warnock was more deliberate, but beat the back cleverly at times and got over some dangerous crosses. Although Mills has not fully regained his confidence, he was a better player on Saturday than against Queen's Park.
Brady was over-impetuous in the first half, but was keen and enterprising in the later stages, while Scott, although he lacked speed and ball control at times, played hard throughout.
In attack which played brilliantly in the first half Thomson and Roberts, particularly the former, were always dangerous. McAvoy was a clever inside forward, but a trifle inclined to put too much work on the ball. Gillespie was a dashing leader and Collins was strong and forceful.

Source: Press & Journal, 6th December 1937