Partick Thistle 2 - 1 Aberdeen

WEAKNESS EVIDENT IN ATTACK

BIG IMPROVEMENT LOOKED FOR

Great things are expected of Aberdeen this season, and Saturday's defeat at the hands of Partick Thistle was a bad blow.

To be beaten 2-1 Firhill may not appear a particularly bad performance at first glance but on Saturday's form Thistle are only a moderate team.
The Dons were unimpressive, and there will have to be a big improvement if they intend to issue a strong challenge for honours.
It is difficult to understand why their play was of such moderate standard. Practically the same team - Brady for Smith was the only change - played well in the Empire Exhibition tournament. They were but shadow of that side.
Partick Thistle held the balance of play in the first half, but led only by single goal at the interval. The Dons were more lively in the second period, but they threatened little real danger.

FORWARDS DISAPPOINT

The forwards disappointed. They never struck up a nappy combination, and it was only on rare occasions that they revealed constructive ideas. The defence was not brilliant, but it was more reliable than the attack.
Partick forced the pace from the start, and it was no surprise when they took the lead in twenty-one minutes, although the goal might have been prevented. The defenders positioned themselves badly when McKennan took a free kick just outside the penalty area, and the inside-right sent the ball crashing into the net.
Only bad luck prevented the Dons getting the equaliser early in the second half. Armstrong and Strauss took the bail through, and the winger sent it into the middle along the ground. Up raced Hamilton. and meeting the ball first time, ne sent it crashing against the crossbar.
Eleven minutes after the restart hopes of an Aberdeen revival received a nasty blow when Thistle increased their lead. Nicholson failed to get the ball in the air, and when it came down Williamson headed it on to Wallace and the centre ran close in to give Johnstone no chance.

ABERDEEN'S GOAL

Aberdeen's goal came ten minutes from the end. Following a fast movement on the right Brady put Hamilton in possession. The inside-right in turn parted to Armstrong, and the centre sent in his scoring shot just as he was tackled.
In Johnstone, Aberdeen had a sound 'keeper who brought off number of excellent saves. Cooper played well throughout and this despite the fact that he was opposed to a clever player in Picken.
Adey, Aberdeen's new defender from Carlisle, was opposed to the most dangerous winger afield in McSpadyen. The back was inclined to be over impetuous and showed little power of recovery.
Nicholson put in tremendous amount of work in defence, but did not reveal his usual judgment when the second goal was lost. Thomson found McKennan a big handful and it was only in the second half that got the measure of his opponent. Both Thomson and Dunlop paid too much attention to defence and too little to attack.

UNIMPRESSIVE LINE

Not one of the forwards was outstanding. Hamilton played fairly well without touching his best form. Armstrong tried to hold the line together, but with no great success, and the centre missed two possible scoring chances.
Only occasionally in the second half did Strauss touch anything like top form, and Hume, formerly of Hearts, was not a success at inside left. His distribution was poor. Brady on the extreme right had poor game. He was never at ease and threatened little danger. Undoubtedly he is seen at his best in the inside berth.
The Partick defence covered up smartly. The 'keeper got little to do and Stewart was the more effective back. Elliot and McLeod, the wing halves, were ahead of the Aberdeen pair.
McSpadyen and McKennan were a strong right wing partnership, although inclined to over-elaborate at times. It was from this pair that most of the danger came.

Source: Press & Journal, 15th August 1938