Airdrie 2 - 1 Aberdeen

It is surprising how the Airdrieonians manage to retain such fine teams considering the small attendance at their home matches. Aberdeen at Broomfield Park suggested a "top turn," and yet there were only 5000 to watch what proved to be a match full of interest, till the final was signalled on a 2-1 victory for the Airdrieonians. Weldon's first goal was a glorious one. He accepted a cross from Somerville, and though from outside the penalty lines, his shot left Sevich hopelessly beaten. Five minutes later, R. Bruce equalised and a draw at half-time was a fair result. Only a few minutes of the second half had gone when Weldon headed into the net again. The referee disallowed the goal, but after both linesmen had been called he awarded the goal. Later Weldon was brought down, and a penalty kick was given against Aberdeen, which the Airdrie centre shot wide of the posts. During this half Airdrieonians were the better team up till the last ten minutes, when Aberdeen fought strongly for the equaliser which they were somewhat unlucky not to get out of a heavy siege following a corner kick. Taking the game as a whole, however, the Airdrieonians deserved the points.

Source: The Scotsman, 6th December 1926

Aberdeen sustained their fourth defeat of the season, Airdrieonians beating them at Airdrie by 2 goals to 1. There were about 6000 spectators who witnessed a fast and interesting enough game, albeit the play never touched a high standard. A keen frost prevailed, and with the pitch exceedingly hard in parts, the players experienced considerable difficulty in retaining their foothold. This circumstance accounted for the breaking down of many promising moves, and largely responsible for the inaccuracy in shooting and passing. Aberdeen had quite as much of the territorially as their opponents, and considering the chances that went abegging, the Pittodrie players ought to at least have finished on level terms.
They were best served in defence by McSevich. D. Bruce, Jackson, and MacLachlan, and in attack by Miller, and R. Bruce. For Airdrieonians, the outstanding players were Carrie, Crapnell, McDougall, Weldon, and Allison.

GOALKEEPERS KEPT BUSY.

McSevich was early in action, having to clear from Murdoch. MacLachlan put Aberdeen on attack and twice Miller was pulled up when about to connect with passes from the halfback. Edward conceded a corner, and after the flag kick had been cleared, the home goalkeeper had twice to dispose of shots by Miller. MacLachlan, too, was likely in the Aberdeen attack, and twice had shots blocked by defenders. For a time both defences were kept on the stretch, but Aberdeen looked more likely to score. An injury to Miller handicapped Aberdeen for a time, but he was able to resume. Bennie dropped a high ball on the top of the Aberdeen net, and following this D. Bruce averted disaster by kicking into corner. A well executed move between Miller, Smith and McDermid almost brought a goal, Reid shooting against the post from Miller's pass. Subsequently the home goal had another escape, when Currie scrambled the ball away with Miller and R. Bruce in attendance. After McSevich had saved from Preston, Currie in lifting away from R. Bruce sent the ball to McDermid's feet, but the latter skied when only a few yards from goal. In a break-away by the home left Somerville centred and Weldon, while on the run, cleverly hooked the ball past the Aberdeen goalkeeper. Aberdeen were soon on level terms, R. Bruce equalising with a ground shot, which Currie would probably have saved but for slipping. Aberdeen played well for a time, Smith forcing Currie to concede a corner, and MacLachlan was inches high with a free kick. While at full length Currie just managed to deflect a shot by McDermid. Towards the interval Airdrie were the aggressors, and after Allison had shot against the crossbar, McSevich saved in quick succession from Preston, Weldon, and Allison, Miller at the other end just missing with a surprise shot. At the interval the teams were still on level terms.

THE WINNING GOAL.

When the game resumed Neil and Preston changed places in the home team. Play had only lasted two minutes when Airdrieonians went ahead in unusual fashion. In a hot attack Neil headed goalwards, and Weldon, standing close to the goal-line, deflected the ball into the net with his head. The referee at first disallowed the goal on the grounds that Weldon was offside, but with the home players clamouring he consulted both linesmen and reversing his decision, awarded a goal. This reverse inspired Aberdeen to greater effort, and a desperate rush by their forwards Currie did well to get the ball away in a scrimmage. Subsequently there were considerable exchanges in midfield, neither side claiming advantage, Miller, McDermid, and Smith all having good efforts to get through. Somerville on one occasion looked to be on the point of scoring for Airdrie when Edward managed to deflect his shot. Following this, Weldon was brought down in the area, and Airdrieonians were awarded a penalty kick, with which Weldon completely missed the goal. At the other end, Miller, when close in, sent just outside the post. The Aberdeen goal had another narrow escape when Murdoch got through to shoot past the post, and Jackson, in endeavouring to clear, sent the ball against the other upright. After this the Aberdeen attack played in spirited style. A shot by Reid was deflected into corner, and following the flag kick the Airdrie goal had a narrow escape until the ball was ultimately scrummaged away. Smith, after steadying for a shot, sent across the goal, and the ball flashed behind just outside the posts. In another Aberdeen attack McDermid shot against the cross-bar, and before the close Smith and Miller had shots that were off the mark. The game ended with Aberdeen attacking, but just failing to draw level.

Source: Press & Journal, 6th December 1926

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