Aberdeen 1 - 1 Falkirk

Aberdeen and Falkirk in their drawn game of one goal each served up one of the most thrilling tussles seen at Pittodrie Park this season. Both goals had many narrow escapes, especially that of Falkirk, in which Ferguson performed prodigies. He had many wonderful saves from both long and short range, and to his brilliant display Falkirk largely owe their partial success. At the same time the Falkirk forwards were not idle, and finely led by Puddlefoot and Nelson they initiated many dangerous raid, which kept the home defence active. On the whole, however, the balance of play was with Aberdeen, who were the more aggressive. For Falkirk, Ferguson, Townsley, and Scott were grand defenders, and effected many remarkable recoveries. On the home side the defence was equally sound, and the attack sprightly, although Bowie and W. Jackson should both have improved upon chances that came their way. Best for Aberdeen were Hutton, Bruce, and A. Jackson. Over 12,000 spectators greatly enjoyed the match.

Source: The Scotsman, 3rd January 1925

Tradition held at Pittodrie, where Aberdeen and Falkirk divided two goals, thereby registering their sixth successive draw. The pitch was snowbound, but, "lines" and goal areas having been swept clear, were liberally treated with sand. As the result the pitch was in wonderfully good order considering the conditions. The players adapted themselves well to the state of affairs, and 12,000 spectators were treated to one of the most exhilarating encounters of the season. On the run of play Aberdeen ought to have won, indeed, they had the opportunities to put the issue beyond doubt in the first half. The forwards failed at easy chances in both periods, but credit must be given the visitors for their magnificent defence, especially that of Ferguson, the Falkirk goalkeeper, who played his usual brilliant game at Pittodrie. Forsyth, suffering from an injury sustained at Dundee, was absent, and his place at left back in the home team was taken by Bruce, from the reserves, and Paton was included vice Cosgrove in the attack. Falkirk made two changes, McNair and. Harris the regulars being absentees. There was much clever, fast play in the game, but, generally, defence was superior to attack. The Aberdeen attack was disturbed shortly after the start when Paton had a recurrence of a knee injury, and changed places with A. Jackson. The alteration may not have ben alone responsible, but, while the forwards often had the Falkirk defence in straits, the inside forwards adhered too much to close tactics, which were not effective against strong and robust first-time tackling. Falkirk, if making the same mistake, did so to a lesser degree, because for a good two thirds of the game they were kept on the defensive.

FINE PLAY BY A RESERVE.

The feature was the strong defence of both teams. On the home side, Blackwell was so well protected that he had only two realty dangerous saves to execute. Hutton was a great power at back, and, despite an injured shoulder, was at his best. Bruce at left back agreeably surprised everybody by his coolness and skill in tackling and judicious kicking. He did not make a single mistake, and co-operated finely with Hutton. In the intermediate line, the half-backs defended splendidly and were frequently seen to advantage in an attacking capacity, but they, too, were at times inclined to play rather closely. The brothers Jackson and Smith were best among the forwards, although the brothers as inside wingers showed a tendency to hang to too far back and to do too much. Apart from that, the line was not effective in marksmanship. Certainly many good efforts were parried by Ferguson, but at close quarters there was a lack of judgment, which was the main factor that denied the home team a complete success. Bowie and A. Jackson each missed easy chances. Paton and Bowie were only moderately successful, albeit each on occasion showed much cleverness. Ferguson in the Falkirk goal gave a brilliant display. His anticipation, fisting, and fielding being class. Scott was the better back, but, apart from Ferguson, the "strong man" of the Falkirk defence was Townsley, who was easily the dominant half-back on the field. The attack displayed much cleverness at times, Hunter, Puddefoot, and Neilson the most conspicuous in this department of the team.

DEFIED BY A GOALKEEPER.

Aberdeen assumed the offensive at the start, Townsley heading away from Smith. Then at the home end Hutton and Bruce both cleared finely following raids by Hunter and Puddefoot. Paton was hurt, and after being attended to resumed at outside right. Aberdeen forced the pace and centres by Smith and Paton were cleared by Townsley. Following this W. Jackson had Ferguson in action twice in quick succession, and a raid by Puddefoot was cleverly stopped by Bruce. A pass back by Scott nearly beat Ferguson, but the keeper just manured to reach the ball. A. Jackson dribbled finely, for Aberdeen, and allowed Paton to swing over a centre. The first-named, however, completely missed the ball, and it went to Edward, who shot over from close range. The play continued in front of the Falkirk goal, and off a free kick Ferguson deflected over bar a terrific shot by W. Jackson. The flag kick was cleared, and following this Smith landed the ball on the top of the net. All the play continued in favour of Aberdeen, and Ferguson saved a fast grounder by A. Jackson. The Falkirk keeper was kept busy, and had to fist away from A. Jackson, and fielded a drive from W. Jackson. Puddefoot relieved pressure with a clever run, but Hutton recovered brilliantly. Aberdeen got back to the attack, and Ferguson had again to use his fists to a ball from Smith. At the other end, Blackwell had to fist away from Neilson. Again Aberdeen bore down on Ferguson, and after Bowie over-ran the, ball, Smith had a fierce drive saved at the expense of a corner. The Falkirk keeper had subsequently to fist away twice in quick succession from W. and A. Jackson. Near the Interval, Paton and the two Jacksons again had Ferguson in action, but the goalkeeper was brilliant, and at half-time neither team had scored.

GOAL FOR EACH.

Paton's injury obviously affected his play on resuming, on occasions he failed to respond to clever work by A. Jackson. Puddefoot executed a brilliant individual movement to finish with a tremendous shot, which Blackwell saved. After this the Falkirk goal was again endangered, and the whistle twice gave the custodian relief when he was held to be illegally charged. W. Jackson got through for Aberdeen, and in an attempt to put the ball outwith the reach of Ferguson, sent wide of the goal. Off a free kick the same player hit the crossbar, and Ferguson fisted clear as the ball descended. Aberdeen continued to apply vigorous pressure, and Ferguson knocked down a terrific shot by Smith and blocked a try W. Jackson. Then, against the run of play, Falkirk took the lead. Puddefoot manoeuvred out to the right and lifted the ball over to Laird, who touched it past Blackwell. Aberdeen equalised immediately. The inside forwards went off with a rush, and off A. Jackson's pass. Bowie crashed the ball into the net. In another raid by Aberdeen, Smith swept the ball across the visitors' goal. Neilson relieved the monotony by shooting wide at Blackwell's end, and following this the Falkirk defence withstood a severe gruelling. Aberdeen repeatedly attacked, and a number of shots were either blocked by other defenders or finely saved Ferguson. The keeper held a short-range shot from Bowie, and Smith swept the ball inches high. Subsequently the Falkirk attack became lively, and Puddefoot wag brilliantly dispossessed by Hutton, and Laird by Bruce, while J. Jackson twice cleared opportunely when Puddefoot and Neilson threatened. Near the close Bowie had a chance to win the match for Aberdeen, but sent wide with only Ferguson in front.

Source: Press & Journal, 3rd January 1925