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| match report |
1938-39 fixture list |
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| Scottish Cup Third Round |
18/02/1939
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Falkirk |
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2 - 3 |
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Aberdeen |
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| Kick Off:
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Miller 40, Stewart 83 |
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Strauss 23, Strauss 52, Pattillo 54. |
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| Attendance: 17,280
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| Venue: Brockville Park, Falkirk |
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| DONS NEED FEAR NO TEAM IN CUP ON THIS FORM |
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VICTORY AT FALKIRK NEVER IN DOUBT
STRAUSS AND COWIE GIVE TOP PERFORMANCE
The Dons' 3-2 victory at Falkirk is liable to create a wrong impression. It suggests that they just scraped through. This was not the case. Admittedly they had to fight, but they always shaped like a team that should have triumphed by a bigger margin.
Aberdeen enthusiasts can justly feel proud of their favourites. To beat Falkirk at Brockville was a good performance, but, better still, the manner of their victory suggests that they are forward with a strong challenge for the Scottish Cup.
They played as team. That is the secret of their success. There was confidence and method in everything they did. They were more confident than their opponents in defence, and the forward line moved with a silkiness that the Falkirk attack never achieved.
The word "defeat" was not in Aberdeen's vocabulary on Saturday. Ina team that was without a failure two players stood out out as worthy of special mention. They were Cowie and Strauss. The right back was the most polished defender afield, and he was opposed to Dawson, Falkirk's sharpshooter. Cowie's display was without blemish. Since coming to Pittodrie he has been noted for his clever positional play and never was it more in evidence than at Brockville on Saturday.
If Cowie was the best defender, Struss was undoubtedly the outstanding forward. The South African revealed all his old dash and punch. He struck terror into the Falkirk defence. He was Aberdeen's match-winner.
WINNING PLAN
If the team as a whole can only retain Saturday's form they need fear none of the other Cup contestants. Their defensive play was little short of perfect. They had a plan, and it worked without a hitch. The backs concentrated on the wingers, and on the few occasions Cowie and Adey were beaten one of the half-backs was always there to cover up.
Adey was a wholehearted back, and kept Carruthers to the touchline. Nicholson saw to it that the defensive policy was carried through to the letter. He dictated matters in the middle of the field.
Thomson and Dunlop, the wing half-backs, also played a big part in the victory. They were strong in defence and calculating in attack. Thomson was particularly effective. Some idea of the mastery of the Aberdeen rear lines may be gained when it is mentioned that in the second half Falkirk twice changed the formation of their forward line in a vain effort to improve matters.
The left wing pair, Strauss and Biggs, were the Dons' most dangerous weapons in attack. The inside man was rather overshadowed by his partner, but Strauss owed a good deal of his success to the service he received from his partner.
PAT FOR PATTILLO
Pattillo was another Aberdeen player who deserves a pat on the back. He was full of g° and was a continual source of worry to the home defence. In Shankly he was faced by a splendid centre -half. The Dons' leader realised his limitations and instead of holding the ball, sent it to the wings right away. It was sound policy.
Scott, who came in for the injured Hamilton, played his part. The former East Fife player was a trifle slow off his mark, but once he gets under way he is difficult to dispossess. He got little assistance from his partner. Warnock gave one of his poorest displays of the season.
Falkirk were never allowed to get going. Their rear lines had few idle moments, and never succeeded in getting the measure of the opposition. McKie in goal played well, and Peat was the better back. Strauss gave Nisbet an uncomfortable afternoon.
The home half-backs were too busy chasing the Aberdeen forwards to give much assistance. Falkirk dod not possess an outstanding personality in their van. Stewart was a trier, but suffered from lack of support, and although Miller was clever on the ball, his skill was nullified by his lack of speed.
IN OFF PEAT
The Dons made a bright and breezy start, and it came as no surprise when they took the lead in twenty-three minutes. Pattillo, foraging on the left, picked up a faulty clearance from Shankly, and parted to Strauss. The South African darted up the middle to deliver a fierce drive. The ball flashed past McKie, struck the post, and was deflected into the net by Peat.
The Falkirk goal was lucky not to fall on several occasions, particularly when a shot by Strauss was bound for the net and Peat cleared on the line. Falkirk hopes were revived five minutes from the interval when they were awarded a penalty.
Miller was brought down by Thomson inside the penalty area. The Falkirk inside-right did not look like scoring at the time. Thomson may have been a trifle unfortunate, for, after all, he got the ball in the tackle. Anyhow, Miller himself took the kick and gave Johnstone no chance.
The Dons delivered the "death" blow in the first nine minutes of the second half, when they scored twice. The first came in seven minutes. Strauss turned up unexpectedly on the right side of the field, and with terrific burst of speed beat the Falkirk defence to a long ball from Scott to score a grand goal.
OPPORTUNITY TAKEN
Two minutes later Pattillo made the total three. In attempting to clear, Nisbet sent the ball high into the air his own goalmouth. Strauss and McKie went for it. The 'keeper got there first, but could only punch it out, and Pattillo seized the chance to net.
A desperate attack by the home team seven minutes from the end saw try by Carruthers blocked, and Stewart fastened on to score with a magnificent shot.
Source: Press & Journal, 20th February 1939
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Falkirk Teamsheet:
McKie; Nisbet, Peat; Brown, Shankly, Bolt; Carruthers, Miller, Stewart, Huskie, Dawson
Bookings: |
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Aberdeen Teamsheet:
Johnstone, Cowie, Adey, Dunlop, Nicholson, Thomson, Warnock, Scott, Pattillo, Biggs, Strauss.
Unused Subs:
Bookings: |
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| Referee: |
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M. C. Hutton, Glasgow |
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