Aberdeen 6 - 1 Morton

Greenock Morton were heavily defeated at Aberdeen. Aberdeen's victory was no haphazard one, but was the result of consistently smart play throughout. In the first half, with the sunshine and breeze against them, they were on equal terms - one-one - and in the second they seemed to carry all before them. Aberdeen's scorers were Cheyne, Reid, Miller, Edward, and Hutton (two.) The internationalist scored from penalty kicks. Greenock scored first by French six minutes from the commencement, but all their other efforts were unsuccessful. In the second half the visitors were outplayed in practically every department, notwithstanding that their defence worked strenuously, especially Fotheringham, Kelso, Jessiman, and Ward. Their best forwards were French and Haddow, though they did not get many opportunities. Hutton, D. Bruce, and Maclachlan were Aberdeen's chief defenders, and Cheyne, Reid, and Miller their most prominent men in attack. Aberdeen's passing game was better than usual, and doubtless that contributed chiefly towards the pronounced victory. This was Aberdeen's first victory over Morton since the war, and if well deserved, its extent surprised even the most optimistic supporters.

Source: The Scotsman, 20th September 1926

After a lapse of twelve years, Aberdeen have at last beaten Greenock Morton. They have waited a long time for a triumph over their "bogey" team, but on Saturday achieved their purpose in no uncertain fashion, the visitors being trounced to the tune of 6 goals to 1. In expectation of a rousing tussle there were about 16,000 spectators and these saw the visitors thoroughly vanquished and outplayed, indeed the big margin does not adequately represent the superiority of Aberdeen.
Aberdeen got a nasty set-back, Morton opening the scoring when the game was still young, and for a short time it seemed that tradition would hold. Even after they equalised, and their supporters breathed more freely, it was realised there was still a danger of the home team going under, especially as the Greenock defence was not beaten again before the interval.
In the second half Aberdeen turned their superiority to material advantage, and slammed in other five goals. Their shooting was deadly and on the mark, but there were times when over-anxiety to avenge previous failures told against their effectiveness at close range when they might have got goals without recourse to shooting. It was a very one-sided game, but as is often the case when one team has a monopoly of attack, the other frequently got away and these spasmodic dashes were always pregnant with danger to Aberdeen, so that it was not until the home team were three ahead that the issue appeared absolutely safe. It was always a spirited and interesting encounter and that old scores were net entirely forgotten was evident from the number of times the referee had to intervene. None of these incidents were serious, however.

SUCCESSFUL PLAYERS.

Throughout, Aberdeen moved with delightful freedom of action. They were strong and sure in defence, and the attack worked with rare speed and smoothness, while the shooting reached a high standard. Morton suffered badly by comparison. They had two enterprising and dangerous raiders in Haddow and French, and Jessiman, Ward, and Kelso worked hard in rear with Fotheringham a good but not brilliant goalkeeper. The last was blameless for the defeat; in fact he kept down the scoring, but did not deal at all confidently with low shots. On the home side, Blackwell, Hutton, and Bruce were in their best form. The halfback line was improved by the placing of Edward at centre-half, and if McHale did not strengthen the pivot position, he worked in harmony with his colleagues and defended well. Cheyne, who made his debut as an inside forward, greatly pleased. He feinted and passed like a veteran, and the shot with which he equalised the scores reflected what he can do a marksman. Reid flourished on the passes of his new partner and was always prominent. The other Aberdeen forwards, too, worked with great speed and accuracy, and Miller's shooting was strong and usually well directed.

MORTON SCORE FIRST

Aberdeen attacked right off, and Kelso did well to intercept a turn in by McDermid after Reid had centred. When Morton retaliated, Blackwell saved from Buchanan, and Graham and Haddow came near counting with good efforts. Only eight minutes had gone when, following a cross by Buchanan, the ball went to French, who was unmarked, and opened the scoring with an unsaveable shot. The equaliser was soon forth-coming. Edward let Cheyne away, and the latter worked forward let go a brilliant shot from just outside the penalty area, Fotheringham was well beaten. Following this, Aberdeen looked like taking the game in hand. Cheyne, who was the shining light in the home attack, repeatedly let his colleagues away, and Fotheringham had a busy time. He was alleged to have been fouled when in possession, and the referee's whistle gave him relief when he was beset by eager opponents. Cheyne returned to the attack, and a fast ground shot by him was only cleared at the second attempt by the Greenock goalkeeper. Off a centre by Reid, Miller lifted over Fotheringham's charge, and later, while he was off being treated for a body injury, McDermid and Miller just missed with capital shots. Following Cheyne's return, and from a pass down the centre, Miller had terrific shot that swerved wide of the goal with Fotheringham beaten. For the most part play continued in the vicinity of the Greenock goal. Fotheringham had muddled a ball to recover and kick clear, and Miller when well placed sent weakly to the goalkeeper. In an isolated raid by the visitors, Ward had a free kick charged down. Edward when close in skied, and then Miller when only two yards out sent just wide of the goal. He nearly atoned immediately afterwards when a fierce drive passed just over the Morton goal. Aberdeen continued to attack. First, MacLachlan after beating two opponents just missed with a fine shot, and then Miller had similar bad luck with a shot that merited success. Near the interval Haddow had a great chance to give Morton what would have been an undeserved lead, but he shot weakly past with only Blackwell in front. On the run of play Morton were fortunate to be on level terms at half-time.

A GOAL HARVEST.

Aberdeen went all out on attack when play resumed. A shot by Reid was deflected for a corner by Archibald, and following this MacLachlan dropped the ball just behind the Morton goal. After this McDermid was denied a goal when at close range the ball hit Kelso on the face when Fotheringham could not have saved. Success was not long delayed. Accepting a pass from Edward, Reid shot along the ground from an acute angle, and the ball found the side net. After this Aberdeen continued their relentless pressure, and accepting a return from Smith, Miller crashed the ball against Fotheringham off whom it rebounded into the net. The Aberdeen attack at this stage dominated the game, and Miller was only inches off with a terrific shot. In a breakaway by the Morton forwards, Haddow just missed with a snap effort, but Aberdeen were soon back hammering the Greenock defence. Miller was ploughing through when he was brought down in the penalty area, and Hutton converted the spot kick. With a lead of three Aberdeen eased up, and the Greenock attack, which had been re-arranged, had a brief innings, but Blackwell had little cause for anxiety, although a shot by Brown crossed his goal, and just eluded the far post. Aberdeen returned to the attack, and Smith sent the ball hard against upright, Miller failing to keep it low when he met the rebound. Shortly afterwards Reid also struck the post with a terrific shot. Fotheringham was repeatedly in action, and at this stage was saving his side from a debacle. Further disaster befell the visitors when Reid, well set for goal, was brought down in the penalty area. Hutton again made sure from the penalty shot, although on this occasion the ball found the net off an upright. Morton were plucky, and their forwards ever ready to rush the home defence, but the exchanges continued to favour Aberdeen. A shot by Miller was knocked behind Fotheringham, and near the end Aberdeen got a sixth goal, when Edward netted with a tremendous shot from twenty yards out.

Source: Press & Journal, 20th September 1926