Eastern Transvaal 2 - 1 Aberdeen

BEATEN BY EASTERN TRANSVAAL: TWO PLAYERS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL

STRAUSS SUCCESSFULLY OPERATED ON FOR APPENDICITIS

From Our Own Correspondent, Benoni, Wednesday.

Aberdeen F.C., who have had two players taken to hospital today, lost to Eastern Transvaal by 2 goals to 1.

Strauss, their South African winger, was successfully operated on for appendicitis and has entered hospital with influenza.

Naturally Strauss will be out of football for some time, certainly till after the South African tour. A quick recovery is hoped for Beynon.
Aberdeen won the toss, and with the home side set to play against the sun, the Scotsmen attacked persistently in the opening stages, when a defender, harassed by Armstrong, hooked the ball into his own goal.

PATTERN WEAVING

The tourists played up strongly, but they were prone to indulge in too much pattern weaving, especially when reaching the goal area.
This clever play taxed the home defence to the full and it was surprising that their goal did not fall.
The pace of the game was rather slower than usual, and with the positional play and anticipation of Eastern Transvaal being unimpressive Aberdeen dominated the game.
Many chances were spoilt, however, through Armstrong frequently getting offside.

EQUALISER

A pretty combined movement resulted in the home side making ground and Hill, the inside-right, equalised with a brilliant opportunist goal after twenty-five minutes. At half-time the sides were still on equal terms.
Play was scrappy for a period in the second half until the home side settled down. They swung the ball about well and repeatedly swept down towards Aberdeen's goal.
But they were unable to break through the stout defence.
After nine minutes, however, an error by Falloon resulted in Eastern Transvaal scoring.
The Scottish half-backs were slow in an effort to clear, and Thomson, the home centre forward, slipped in and scored with a shot into the roof of the net.

ARMSTRONG'S MISS

Three minutes later Armstrong missed a glorious chance of equalising, failing with a " sitter."
Aberdeen attacked persistently in the closing stages, but lack of thrust in their attack prevented them getting on level terms.
The match was played in sunny weather and was watched by 5000 people.
In addition to Strauss and Beynon, Aberdeen were without Thomson, Currer, and Fraser. who were rested.

Source: Press & Journal, 17th June 1937