Aberdeen 2 - 1 Heart of Midlothian

Aberdeen at home got back to a winning way at the expense of the Heart of Midlothian. Thirteen thousand spectators saw a fast and intensely exciting game, which ran on Cup-tie lines all the time, and swayed in advantage from side to side. The Hearts secured a goal lead ten minutes from the start, and held on to it until ten minutes after the resumption. After Aberdeen equalised they stormed the Hearts' goal, only to be met by a great resistance. The winning goal came unexpectedly, a long high shot, swerving as it dropped, beat Crosskey, the Hearts' goalkeeper, who had taken Harkness' place. Apart from that mistake, Crosskey kept goal brilliantly, and baffled Yorston, who was very active as leader of the Aberdeen forwards. In the early stages Aberdeen had the better of the game. The Hearts' defence was not too certain at the start, and it was Crosskey who saved his side. Throwing off the attack, White sent the ball through the Aberdeen defence, and the home goalkeeper was under the impression that it would go past. Murray, running in, however, got to it, and scored. That goal was against the run of the game, and, despite desperate work by the Aberdeen team, the Edinburgh side clung tenaciously to it, O'Neill, herd, and Reid being in good form. Aberdeen had the better of the attacking, and their equaliser by J. Smith ten minutes after the interval was well deserved, though the Hearts claimed for offside. The leading goal came from Hill's long drive fifteen minutes afterwards. In a stormy finish the Hearts should have equalised by Battles after S. Smith had saved from the Hearts' centre and Johnstone.

Source: The Scotsman, 29th September 1930

Surprise Winning Goal by Hill

it was always an interesting struggle at Pittodrie, where Aberdeen just got the better of Hearts by the odd goal in three. They were two evenly matched sides, with Aberdeen showing a big improvement in all departments. McLeod, who was introduced at inside right, strengthened the attack, adding forcefulness to it, and his passing brought out the effectiveness of Love and Yorston. The team work of Aberdeen was good, and, considering that they were a goal in arrears at the interval, they did well to rally as they did and ultimately gain a well-deserved victory.

Brilliance of McLaren

There was a marked improvement in all divisions compared with the form shown against Hamilton Academicals earlier in the week.
The outstanding player in the game was McLaren, the home centre-half. he was ever in the thick of the fight, one time moving forward and assisting to push home the attack, and the next, back covering up his colleagues in rear. Smith, in the home goal, was very sound, although he appeared to misjudge the cross that brought Hearts' goal.
At back, Cooper showed brilliance at times, and Jackson played quite a serviceable game. Black and Hill, in the wing half positions, were both at their best.

Goalkeeper's Mistake

Forward the honours went to Yorston and McDermid, both of whom worked tremendously hard, and Yorston was very unfortunate not to score at least once.
Crosskey ought to have prevented the winning goal, but otherwise gave an excellent display, and Anderson and O'Neill at back did well against a clever and thrustful attack. Reid and Bennie were the best of the Hearts' half-backs.
Of the forwards, Battles was subdued by McLaren, yet the centre-forward was always dangerous, especially with his head. McMillan and White were tricky inside players, but neither Johnstone nor Murray on the extreme wings was at his best.

Goal for Hearts

The first goal came after fourteen minutes' play. herd took a throw-in and White whipped the ball across the home goal and Smith evidently being under the impression it would go behind. When he realised his mistake he sought to recover but slipped, and before he could again take up position Murray had run in and netted.
On the balance of play Aberdeen were unfortunate to be in arrears at half-time.

The Equaliser

They played up in spirited style after the interval, and were soon on level terms. McDermid got possession from a return by McLaren, and slipping the ball to Smith, the latter scored easily from close in.
That goal greatly encouraged Aberdeen, and for the most part play was confined to Hearts' territory. Crosskey, Reid, and the backs withstanding a severe gruelling, and Yorston made many clever attempts to get through.

The Winning Goal

After twenty-five minutes, Aberdeen were rewarded with what proved the winning goal.
Hill from long range lobbed the ball into goal, and Crosskey completely misjudging the flight, allowed it to drop behind his upstretched arms.
In the closing stages Hearts made desperate efforts to draw level, and Smith effected a remarkable double save from Battles and White before the former ballooned the ball over the bar.
Interest was maintained up to the last kick, and Aberdeen emerged deserving winners. There were 13,000 spectators.

Source: Press & Journal, 29th September 1930