Cowdenbeath 2 - 0 Aberdeen

Not for many a long day have Cowdenbeath been seen to so much advantage in a home game as they were against Aberdeen on Saturday. They appear to have again developed the team spirit, combination and enthusiasm being a feature of their clever and spirited display. From start to finish they kept the ball swinging from wing to wing in an amazingly clever fashion, with the result that Aberdeen were never allowed to settle. In addition, the Cowdenbeath forwards finished strongly, and only fine goalkeeping by Cummings and the enterprising play of Cooper and Legge, the backs, prevented them from winning by a wider margin.

Leonard's Two Goals

Leonard, the mainspring of the home attack, had both goals - one in each half. They looked to be of the soft order, but both were really unsaveable. McLaren, through failing to connect with a pass, contributed to the loss of the first, scored after 36 minutes, while the goalkeeper was unsighted when Leonard scored the second twenty minutes from the close. One of the best, as well as the most spectacular, incidents in the game was a shot by Leonard, which Cummings tipped over the bar. So certain was the Cowdenbeath player that a goal would accrue that he turned and walked in the direction of the centre spot.
Though keen to a degree, the Aberdeen side showed no cohesion. An injury to Yorston in the first half, which necessitated his finishing the second half at outside right, also badly handicapped them.

Source: Glasgow Herald, 25th August 1930

Beaten by 2-0, Aberdeen gave a disappointing display against Cowdenbeath at Central Park.

It was a fast and interesting game, with the Aberdeen defence struggling for the greater part to hold their own against a nippy attack that was much more penetrative than that of the visitors. There was no doubting the superiority of the Fife team, which worked splendidly as a combination, were more accurate in their passing and shooting, and infused more dash into their play.
Cummings, who performed creditably in the Aberdeen goal, had one remarkably fine onehanded save in the first half, and effected many other good clearances. Cooper was never happy at right back, but was sound, and while McLaren played strongly. Hill was the best halfback, Black being on the slow side.

Yorston's Injury.,/p> The forwards never really struck their game, and did not combine at all well. They were handicapped for the greater period of the second half by an injury to Yorston, who finished up at outside right. Love essaying the centre-forward role.
Until he was injured Yorston was the best attacker, but none of the others reproduced the form of which they are capable.
Cowdenbeath were admirably served by Middleotn; Frame and Johnstone, the two backs, proving very steady iin the second half when Aberdeen rallied.

Leonard the Star

Glancy and Menzies were always prominent in the half-back line. Leonard at inside left was largely responsible for the success of the Cowdenbeath attack, and capped a fine afternoon's work by scoring one of the goals.
He was ably assisted by Paterson, a dashing and clever leader, and Hamill and Martin on the wings were dangerous and speedy raiders.

Goal in Danger.

Cummings was early in action to a header by Paterson and with Cowdenbeath keeping up the attack, Cooper did well to head away a cross by Leonard, who sorely troubled the Aberdeen defence. Cummings was kept in the danger zone and after fisting away from Hamill, had to run out and assist Legge when the latter was in difficulties.
A counter-raid by Aberdeen was nullified by Yorston shooting wide. At the other end a dash through by Paterson let Hamill in, but the latter sent wide when favourably placed. The home goal was in danger following a high centre by Smith, but Middleton got relief when a free kick was given against Yorston.
Subsequently the Aberdeen goal was besieged. Cummings fisted clear from Hamill, and several shots were charged down by the Pittodrie defence. The Aberdeen right wing raised the siege, and nippy work by Yorston ended in his shooting high.

Lost Chances.

A great chance came the way of Yorston when McDermid slipped the ball through to him, but the centre-forward 'killed' his shot by partly kicking the ground, and Middleton easily cleared. Following this Smith too had a chance, but he missed the ball first time, and when he tried again, sent against a defender.
Yorston was chiefly responsible for maintaining the Aberdeen attack, and from the left he had Middleton in action twice in quick succession.

The First Count

After thirty-six minutes' play Cowdenbeath took the lead. Hamill broke away, and after the cross had been missed by McLaren, Martin easily sent the ball past Cummings, who left his goal to intercept.
A brilliant one-handed save by Cummings off a shot by Leonard prevented Cowdenbeath going further ahead, and in hot attacks by the home team appeals for penalty awards against Cooper and McLaren were turned down. Just on the interval Yorston, in a close tackle, appeared to have got the better of Middleton, but the goalkeeper effected a wonderful recovery by turning round and facing his own goal to regain possession and clear. At half-time Cowdenbeath led by the only goal.

Corner Kicks.

Several corners fell to Cowdenbeath in the opening minutes of the second half, but these were disposed of, and ultimately Aberdeen got going, and Yorston headed wide from a flag-kick by Smith.
The Aberdeen revival was maintained for a time, and Dickie had a shot parried by Middleton. Another corner followed for Cowdenbeath, and this time Hamill sent against the post. Cummings' goal had another narrow escape when, with the 'keeper at the other end, Leonard's header went inches wide.
A sprint by Smith saw him shoot straight for the goalkeeper, and at the other end Cummings deflected a great shot by Martin and then fisted clear the free kick.

Another for Cowdenbeath

It was no surprise when Cowdenbeath secured a second goal. Martin placed a flag kick and Leonard, lying well out, found the net with a slow ground shot which Cummings must have saved had he not been unsighted.
At this stage Yorston's lameness became manifest, and he changed places with Love. Aberdeen did show improvement in the closing stages in the respect that they hemmed in the Cowdenbeath defence, but they could not get in a really telling shot.

Source: Press & Journal, 25th August 1930