Aberdeen 1 - 3 St. Johnstone

In the first round of the Dewar Shield competition at Pittodrie last night, St Johnstone defeated Aberdeen by 3 goals to 1. In ideal weather the match attracted 8000 spectators and with both fielding strong experimental teams, a fast and interesting entertainment was provided. St Johnstone, while deserving to win, were flattered by the score, territorially they were at a disadvantage in the exchanges, but they were the more effective and business-like combination - more dangerous in attack and more reliable in defence. The Aberdeen forwards were individually cleverer than those of St Johnstone, but they did not combine so well and their shooting was often wild and badly directed.

RUN OF PLAY.

After McSevich had handled from Stevenson, Yorston made headway, and from Cheyne s slip forward Page, after scuffle with the home centre forward, was glad to throw out for relief. Aberdeen for a time kept up persistent pressure, and several shots were blocked by defenders in the visitors' penalty area. Wilson and Yorston both had good tries, the outside right's shot being deflected for a corner by Jamieson. From a free kick by Wilson Page tipped over the bar, and from the corner kick Bruce headed wide. The home forwards were very fast and tricky, and Wilson was applauded for clever work. Page had to fist clear from Cheyne, and later Love just missed with a try from close in. St Johnston were kept well in check, but Nicholson tested McSevich from the wing, and McBain shot wide from long range.

THE FIRST GOAL.

After 15 minutes and against the run of the play, St Johnstone took the lead. Jackson, in attempting to clear, sent the ball against Munro, and the Perth centre forward, left with only McSevich in front, tipped the ball into the net. After this Aberdeen often attacked, and Page's goal had a narrow escape when a cross shot by Cheyne just missed the goal. After having been kept on the defensive for a time, St Johnstone again took up the running, and after McSevich had saved at point blank range from Munro, he went full length to deflect a fast drive by McBain. Following this, he twice fisted away crosses from the right. The game again see-sawed in favour of Aberdeen, and Bruce and Cheyne both had shots that were only slightly off the mark. Yorston out on the right had another try deflected for a corner, and Aberdeen kept up determined pressure to have many shots blocked by St Johnstone defenders. In a breakaway by the visitors, Munro netted again for them, but an infringement had previously been signalled, and Aberdeen were awarded a free kick. Yorston had a capital shot negotiated by Page, and later Wilson elected to carry and shoot wide when Yorston and Love were waiting for his pass. Later the home centre forward with the goal at his mercy, completely missed the ball when Wilson slipped a pass to his feet. The centre forward recovered quickly, but his second attempt was sent against an opponent. Play continued greatly in favour of Aberdeen, but their shots were either wide or wasted against opponents. St Johnstone were fortunate to retain their solitary goal lead at the interval.

EQUALISER AND REPLY.

After the interval Swallow and Twine changed places in the St Johnstone team. Aberdeen had the advantage in the opening minutes of the second half, and the equaliser was soon forthcoming. Yorston followed up a high ball, and with the Perth backs and goalkeeper in a muddle, he cleverly got between them, and lobbed the ball under the bar for Love to rush in and cap the movement with his head. The visitors were not long in regaining the lead. Munro got possession, and stalling off challenges by Jackson and Livingstone, worked close in to rattle the ball into the net. After this the Aberdeen attack was again prominent. Cheyne twice shot high, and Yorston finished clever individual work by having his low shot finely stopped by Page. For some time afterwards the game was largely a duel between the Aberdeen forwards and the Perth defenders, but the attackers finished badly, Cheyne twice in quick succession ballooning from favourable position. On later occasions Page did well to stop a fast shot by Love and held a free kick by Ross, and following further Aberdeen pressure, Wilson just missed with a ball that swerved wide.
Subsequently St Johnstone assumed the offensive, and after clever combination on the left wing, Stevenson had a shot deflected by Livingstone for a corner.

ISSUE MADE SECURE.

Near the close a third goal fell to St Johnstone. McSevich knocked down a fast shot by Nicholson against the upright, and Livingstone in attempting to clear, sent the ball against Jackson and it rebounded into the net.
In another raid by St Johnston, Munro was brought down by Livingstone and injured his back, but after receiving attention from the trainer was able to resume. The game ended without further scoring.

Source: Press & Journal, 18th August 1927