Third Lanark 4 - 0 Aberdeen

Third Lanark showed greatly improved form in their game with Aberdeen at Cathkin Park. For once in a while the Cathkin forwards were in good shooting form, and their win by four clear goals was fully deserved on play. Right from the start the home side were the aggressor, and it came as no surprise when Finlay opened the scoring after 30 minute's play. It was not until the second half, however, that Third Lanark asserted their superiority. McInally headed the second goal from a well-placed free kick taken by Walker, 22 minutes after the interval, and three minutes later Reid added a third. From this point Aberdeen were mainly on the defensive. The home forwards, playing clever football, were often in Blackwell's vicinity, and ten minutes from the end McInally brought his side's total up to four. The attendance would be 5000.

Source: The Scotsman, 27th October 1924

Aberdeen gave an inglorious display at Cathkin, where they sustained a 4-0 defeat from Third Lanark. There was nothing like the disparity between the teams that the score suggests, but they were deservedly beaten. Their forwards did not work well together in the outheld, and near goal they lacked punch. The defence, too, was none too sound. For that matter neither was the defence of Third Lanark, but the winners had a more dangerous set of forwards, and the half-backs co-operated much more successfully with their forwards than did those of Aberdeen. Except the first, which he might have stopped. Blackwell had not much chance with any of the goals. Hutton and Forsyth played well at back, and were the best division of the team, although often beaten in the second stage. The half-backs, of whom MacLachlan was best, failed to support their forwards, and Pirie was unable to hold McInally, to whose work the success of Third Lanark in the goal-scoring department was almost entirely due. In attack, the inside trio were never seen to advantage, and A. Jackson and Smith, who were easily the best of a poor line, were not given enough opportunity. Third Lanark owed a great deal to the fine goalkeeping of Jarvie. At back, McGill and Brown were both shaky under pressure. Walker and Williamson played strongly at half-back, and in the attack McInally was the live wire, with Archibald and Reid next best. There were 6000 spectators.

RUN THE PLAY.

Third began well, Archibald getting away and centring for McInally to shoot over. Smith retaliated for Aberdeen, and Rankin was given a chance, but, instead of shooting, preferred to manoeuvre, and the home defence recovered. A long spectacular run by McInally followed, but his cross along the goal-line was missed by colleagues and opponents alike. The home attack was frisky at this stage and Blackwell saved from Finlay and Archibald. A run by Smith brought a negative result, and at Blackwell's end Blair headed wide off a flag-kick. Walter Jackson relieved for Aberdeen, but, after outwitting Brown, sent the ball too far ahead, and McGill kicked clear. From a free kick outside the Aberdeen penalty area. McInally shot wide, and, following more pressure by the Catkin forwards Blackwell fisted away from a flag-kick by Archibald. Smith transferred play, and forced a corner, following which Paton had a shot accidentally deflected by a defender's hand. In a further scrimmage Brown, clearing, kicked the ball against Smith, but Jarvie ran out and kicked away. Following this, Aberdeen applied pressure, and the Cathkin defenders were fortunate to charge down and block a number of shots. When least expected, Third Lanark scored. McInally broke away, and, when tackled, passed to Finlay who shot from 20 yards out, Blackwell touching the ball but failing to stay its progress to the net. After this the home team again attacked, and forced two corners without result. Near the interval play turned in favour of Aberdeen. W. Jackson was in the act of shooting from outside the penalty area when he was badly fouled. He took the free kick himself, and Jarvie, at full length, was just able to scrape the ball away for Brown to complete the save. A flag-kick by Smith was fisted away by Jarvie, and Aberdeen pressed until the interval, but were denied what would have been a well-deserved equalising goal.

DEFENCE GIVES WAY.

McInally was early prominent for Third Lanark in the second half. He rounded the backs but his shot struck Blackwell on the shoulder. Finlay followed up with a shot which Blackwell scrambled away while at full length, and later he fisted away from a corner by Archibald. At the other end, Jarvie rushed out and kicked clear from Walter Jackson. Clever play on the Aberdeen right was negatived by Paton shooting wide, and Smith followed with a great shot which Jarvie saved in masterly style. Rankin followed with a long run. but clung too long to the ball, and McGill cleared. Aberdeen kept up the pressure for a time, and W. Jackson twice had shots blocked. Ultimately Aberdeen were beaten back, and Archibald forced a corner, following which Blackwell fisted clear from Blair. A free kick against Paton led to another goal for Third Lanark. McInally heading through off Walker's lob forward. Third Lanark kept up the attack, and after Blackwell had effected a spectacular save at the expense of a corner. Reid scored a third goal, the ball being deflected into the net off Forsyth. This third reverse stirred Aberdeen to greater effort, and Jarvie saved finely from Rankin and Smith. Walter Jackson was tripped when going through, and off the free kick taken by Hutton the ball hit Jarvie on the chest, and was ultimately cleared. Alec Jackson followed with a brilliant run, but his pass was intercepted by Jarvie, and two corners for Aberdeen availed them nothing. Ten minutes from the close, when Aberdeen were concentrating on attack, McInally got away from a suspiciously offside position, and, running on, gave Blackwell no chance with a hard drive. In a last effort by Aberdeen, Jarvie dropped the ball off headed effort by Walter Jackson, but made a wonderful recovery.

Source: Press & Journal, 27th October 1924