St. Johnstone 1 - 1 Aberdeen

The Northern "Derby" between St Johnstone and Aberdeen ended in a draw of one goal each, a result which undoubtedly flattered the Aberdonians. Play throughout was of a real cup tie nature, the players throwing themselves into the game with great keenness. After a bright start the home team disappointed, but recovering after the cross over they maintained a decided advantage to the final whistle. Both attacks were forceful and enterprising, but the Aberdeen defence faltered under heavy pressure, and were forced to adopt the policy of packing their goal to avert defeat. The home defence, once having secured the measure of their opponents, never looked back. Munro opened the scoring for St Johnstone ten minutes after the start, and three minutes later R. Bruce equalised, the ball glancing off Whyte into the net. Page, Steel, Jamieson, Swallow, McLean, and Pocock were outstanding in a good St Johnstone side, while Aberdeen were best served by McSevich, Jackson, McHale, Reid, McDiarmid, and Smith. Attendance, 9000.

Source: The Scotsman, 28th February 1927

Aberdeen and St Johnstone played a draw at Perth, each team scoring once. The result did justice to both, for while Aberdeen were the better team in the first half, St Johnstone held a corresponding advantage in the second period. Six thousand spectators witnessed what was a thrilling struggle, the exchanges at times being reminiscent of a cup-tie. Both teams were well served in defence, and at times the forward play touched a high standard.
St Johnstone opened the scoring after nine minutes' play, when Munro accepted a pass from Main to beat McSevich from close in. Aberdeen were less than two minutes in arrears. Smith raced away on the left and crossed. Reid met the ball, and shot with great force, and on its way to the net the ball glanced off Bruce, and Whyte, in attempting to clear, sent it to the back the net. This was all the scoring, but considering the fast and accurate forward play it was surprising there were no more goals. Both goalkeepers were repeatedly in action, and the backs were seldom clear of trouble. Reid and Smith on the Aberdeen wings had many clever runs and centres in both periods of the game, and their crosses might have been utilised to more advantage. They were not quite so conspicuous after the interval, because for the most part Aberdeen had to play a defensive game, but their dashes were always dangerous. Most of the threats to Aberdeen came from the St Johnstone wingers Main and Pocock, the latter being extremely effective in the second half.

HOW THE PLAYERS FARED.

McSevich kept goal in brilliant style for Aberdeen, and it would have been excusable had he been beaten more than once. Jackson was not quite so sound as usual at back, and was frequently beaten in tackles. Ritchie on the other hand played very steadily, his judgment being superb. He was fortunate on one occasion in the first half that a penalty kick was not given against him for hands. McHale at centre-half played a strong, forceful game, and was one the mainstays of the Aberdeen defence. Edward and Ross were clever on the ball, but neither touched his best form, and the falling off of the Aberdeen attack in the second half was largely attributable to their defects.
Smith and Reid were easily the best of the forwards, the former touching his best. Reid, too, was exceptionally clever, and if he had been more generously treated by the opposition he would undoubtedly have been even more effective. Cheyne, Bruce, and McDermid, all did good work in midfield, but they might have been more dangerous near goal.
Page, like McSevich for Aberdeen, was very safe in the St Johnstone goal. Jamieson was capital at back, but his tackling of Reid at times showed a tendency to be over-robust. Steele was not nearly as safe as his partner, and could never really cope with the flying Smith. Swallow put in a deal of good work at pivot, and was well supported by Whyte, a strong and forcing wing half-back. In attack, St Johnstone were splendidly served by Pocock, who was deputising for Toner, and was his team's best forward. Another who took the eye was McLean, who rendered useful service at inside right. Munro was a dashing centre-forward, but might have done better at close quarters.

Source: Press & Journal, 28th February 1927