Hamilton 1 - 0 Aberdeen

Aberdeen won't win the Scottish Cup on the form they displayed against Hamilton Accies at Douglas Park on Saturday. The defence was beaten too easily, and the forwards were an attack in name only. It was a poor game between two poor teams, and of the pair the Dons were the more ineffective.
The ground conditions were all against good football. The pitch was heavy and water was lying in patches. Douglas Park was worse than Shawfield was on Tuesday. But against Clyde the Dons played brilliant football for half an hour. There was nothing brilliant about them at Hamilton.

SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE

As a matter of fact the Accies should have won by a more convincing margin than one goal. They did the bulk of the attacking, and had their forwards been worthy the name marksmen they would have scored four or five goals.
Aberdeen's loss of form is inexplicable. It was their second game in a week, but that can scarcely be accepted as an excuse. Just how futile was the play the forward line may be judged from the fact that Morgan, the Hamilton 'keeper made his most difficult save from Scott, his own left back.
The incident happened late the second half. Scott got his foot to a cross from Strauss and the ball was travelling into the net when Morgan twisted himself round to fall on it.
Aberdeen's experiment of playing Armstrong on the right wing and Cooper left back did not meet with success. The centre was obviously not at home on the wing, and showed little intelligence in taking up position. The Pittodrie outside right problem remains unsolved.
Cooper tried hard at left back, but too often he had to delay his clearances until he brought the ball on to his right foot. He was not comfortable.

DEFENCE UNINSPIRED

Johnstone in the Aberdeen goal started none too confidently, but fortunately he settled down to a good game and had a number of splendid saves. Cowie did not reveal his best form and found McNee a troublesome opponent.
The play of the half-backs was sound. Scott, deputising for Dunlop, was the best of the trio. His tackling was effective and he was strong on the ball. His one fault was that he was inclined to wander out of position. Thomson did not produce, the form of Tuesday's game at Shawfield, but he did good work.
Nicholson was a powerful pivot. He never became flurried. In fact there were occasions when he was inclined to wait too long before clearing the ball.
Hamilton was the best of forward line that showed little cohesion or thrust. Biggs had a poor day, while Pattillo threatened little danger. The centre can take but not make chances. Strauss was lively raider on the left and gave Wallace a lot of trouble, but his finishing was weak. He had a fine chance to snatch the equaliser in the closing stages when he went through down the middle and shot past.
Hamilton's defence was not seriously tested. It appeared, however, that if the rear lines had been hard pressed they would have cracked. Morgan in goal had a very easy time. Scott was the better back, but the outstanding man in defence was Lowe at centre-half. M Kenzie at right-half showed some smart touches.

McNEE NOT BRILLIANT

The Accies' forwards played well until they got to close quarters, then they faded out McNeil and Park on the right wing worked well together and Wilson was an energetic leader, but all three were weak at close quarters. McNee, the left-winger who will play against Eire in Dublin on Friday, will have to show better form than he did on Saturday if he is to be a success.
The only thing of note that Jarvie did at inside-left was to score the goal that gave his team the points. The all-important goal came seven minutes from the interval. Wilson nodded down a well-placed corner from McNee and Jarvie jabbed the ball through a crowd of players into the net.

Source: Press & Journal, 13th March 1939

Aberdeen's attack, patchy and undecided in their movements, did not impress in this game. The line never created danger at the Hamilton goal until the closing minutes when a smashing shot from Strauss went narrowly past. Aberdeen, however, were well served in defence, with Nicholson, Scott, and Cowie excelling. On a heavy pitch which cut up badly Hamilton gave an improved display, and deserved success. Poor finishing spoiled good outfield play. Wilson and McNeil missed scoring chances in the first ten minutes, and later, when the centre did net, the referee adjudged that he had previously fouled Nicholson. Seven minutes from the interval Jarvie shot the all-important goal, following a McNee corner kick.

Source: Aberdeen Bon-Accord and Northern Pictorial, 16th March 1939