Aberdeen 2 - 0 Hamilton

On the play at Pittodrie Park yesterday, Aberdeen ought to have won their Scottish League match against Hamilton by a greater margin than 2 goals to 0. As it was, a conspicuous fault of the home players, especially in the first half, when they had a great number of excellent opportunities, was their defective shooting. Several capital chances practically went a-begging. Undoubtedly Hamilton Academicals' best men were the backs, Cormack and Hunter, while Hunt, at centre-half, and McCabe, the inside left, were conspicuous. For Aberdeen, Cosgrove, who was responsible for both goals, was outstanding. His header, and then his smart drive when the ball from a corner kick landed at his feet, were worthy of his reputation for seizing opportunities. The 6000 spectators were delighted with those goalscoring efforts on his part. On the other hand, the spectators were undoubtedly disappointed at seeing so many chances of scoring thrown away by their favourites.

Source: The Scotsman, 10th February 1928

What an early dismissal from the Cup-ties means to a club was reflected in the very poor attendance at the League game at Pittodrie on Wednesday between Aberdeen and Hamilton Accies. There were barely 6000 spectators present. By their victory the Dons have improved their position on the League table, but it cannot be said that the visitors were beaten in a convincing manner. Aberdeen were weakest in attack, and it is perfectly clear that there is need for the infusion of new blood. To say the least, the inside forwards were poor.

Candidly, I was not surprised that this game was so poorly attended. Hamilton Accies are struggling to avoid relegation, and naturally did not prove a big attraction. As is always the case, too, when Aberdeen are finished with the cup competition the attendances show a big decrease. There was a real end-of-season atmosphere about this game, and the standard of play was only moderate. Aberdeen won because they took advantage of two of the many chances they got in the first period. Cosgrove had a big say in the first goal, although McCormack actually headed the ball past his own goalkeeper. The second goal came off a corner taken by Love. McDermid touched the ball on its passage across the goal, and Cosgrove, lying in good position, promptly drove it into the net.

Poor Finishing

In the second period, Aberdeen again did most of the pressing, but the finishing of the forwards was particularly poor, Gilmour having in most cases to deal with long range. Although they were beaten, the Accies have a very sound defence, and if the forwards had been able to make better use of the ball in the second half the result might have been a draw. Their outside left, Howe, had a great chance to beat Blackwell from close I, but the Aberdeen goalkeeper smothered his shot.

Defence Reliable

Blackwell had a few difficult balls to deal with, particularly in the first period, but he was confident in all that he had to do. Jackson was the better back, but he was somewhat erratic at times in his kicking. Livingstone kicked well. McHale was a powerful pivot. He gave Moffat little scope, while he had bad luck with a terrific drive in the first half in the first half when the ball struck the post and rebounded into play. Black, as usual, excelled in constructive play, while Ross was by no means a failure. He was often beaten at close quarters, but he invariably parted with the ball to advantage. Of the forwards only Smith and Love came up to expectations. They were not well supported. Love was the most dangerous of the five. He cut in when the opportunity occurred, and had at least three great shots saved by Gilmour. If Smith had a fault it was that he was inclined to shoot too often from difficult angles.

Weak Inside Forwards

Cosgrove, apart from the goals scored, did not set the heather on fire. He was slow on the ball, and lacked the drawing powers possessed by Cheyne. Yorston was a trier, but it was very evident that Aberdeen will have to get a centre forward with height and weight, as well as ability, of course. Yorston is a good footballer, but his lack of inches is a big drawback to him. McDermid did better in the second half, but he was weak in his finishing.
It can be said that the Accies have a very safe goalkeeper in Gilmour, who, by the way, got his League baptism when the Dons visited Hamilton iin the early aprt of the season. McCormack and Hunter were very reliable backs, particularly the latter. Hunt was the stalwart in the half-back line. This player is, I understand, on the transfer list, and is being angled after by more than one English club. Moffat was the pick of the attack.
The Dons go to Falkirk this week, and even allowing for the heavy defeat sustained by the Bairns at Tynecastle, a much better display will have to be given if success is to be met with.

Source: Bon-Accord, 11th February, 1928

At Pittodrie yesterday, Aberdeen gained other two league points at the expense of Hamilton Academical-s, whom they beat by two goals to nil. In a cold atmosphere the game attracted only 6000 spectators.
The visitors had to face the wind, but were first to attack, a shot by McCabe being deflected for a corner by Jackson. The flag kick was cleared, and subsequently the Aberdeen attack got going, and from a free kick at long range McHale shot against the post.
In another Aberdeen attack McCormack sent the ball against Yorston, and Gilmour was lucky to be in position for saving.
After this the Accies' forwards came into prominence, and from Moffatt's pass Howe was left with a clear run in. The left-winger, however, sent the ball into the hands of Blackwell, who ran out to intercept.
Following this, Aberdeen retaliated in spirited fashion, and after McDermid had sent just over from long range, he had a shot blocked by Hunter.
Territorially Aberdeen were having the better of matters, but they were no more dangerous than the Accies. Cosgrove just missed with a header from Smith's centre, and following this Gilmour stopped a good shot by the Aberdeen left winger from close in.
The Accies were only occasionally on the offensive, yet they were dangerous on these raids. After Moffat had sent over, McCabe had Blackwell in action to a ground shot.

Two For Aberdeen.

The strong wind was bothering both teams, but the feature so far had been the resolute defence of the men from Lanarkshire.
Ross had a shot deflected by Hunt, but Gilmour as in position to save.
A period of midfield play followed, but later the Accies had a spell of attacking, Dick sending behind when well placed. Aberdeen afterwards had numerous raids on the wings, but nothing serious came the way of Gilmour, although Black was not far off after a fine individual effort. Following this, McDermid had a weak shot deflected for a corner, and Gilmour stopped an effort by McHale.
Towards the interval Smith had a terrific shot which hit the crossbar, and Cosgrobve met the rebound to head in, the ball glancing into the net off McCormack's head. Immediately afterwards Aberdeen nearly scored again, McDermid heading narrowly over from Love's centre.
Aberdeen were now making all the running, and Gilmour had to jump to catch a high swerving ball from Smith. Later, fine combination by McHale, Yorston, and Cosgrove finished with Gilmour saving at the expense of a corner from the inside right. Love placed the flag kick to perfection, and Cosgrove netted from close in.
In another clever Aberdeen attack, Yorston swept the ball inches high when harassed by McCormack. Aberdeen had been on top during the latter stages, and deserved their interval lead of 2-0.

An Even Second Half

Aberdeen resumed in promising style, and Gilmour had to deal with several balls that over-reached the home forwards. Grand work by McHale was chiefly responsible for the Accies' attacks being held up, and most of the play was in Hamilton territory.
Aberdeen made repeated onslaughts, and on several occasions it was neck or nothing for the visitors. Black was laid out in an effort following a corner kick when he shot over, but he was soon able to resume. Cosgrove was next in the wars, but he, too, was soon able to carry on, and the ball was seldom away from Gilmour.
Spasmodic attacks by the Accies were easily repelled by the home defence, who appeared to have the Lanarkshire attackers in their grip.
In the later stages, the visitors asserted themselves, and Blackwell was several times in action to McCabe, Dick, and Howe, but Aberdeen always held the upper hand, and were worthy winners.

Source: Press & Journal, 9th February 1928