Clyde 2 - 5 Aberdeen

Clyde at Shawfield Park were thoroughly outplayed by Aberdeen, and suffered their most damaging home result of the season. With reserve backs, one a debutant to League football, the Glasgow side at no time offered a real challenge to Aberdeen, whose attack enjoyed a field day in the first half, when Yorston scored three times, the feature of the "hat-trick" being his close-up work on a rather listless goalkeeper.
Merrie and McLean brought Aberdeen's scoring total to five goals in the second half, Smith and King, when having turns at centre-forward, scoring Clyde's two goals, Smith getting the referee's decision when he charged the Aberdeen custodian over the line while the latter was endeavouring to clear a cross from Lowe.
The snap of Aberdeen's wing half-backs and the swift collection and progress of the outwingers, allied with the poise and finish of the whole attack, was a bold contrast to the laboured and purposeless efforts of Clyde.

Source: Glasgow Herald, 8th December 1930

Aberdeen showed splendid form to beat Clyde at Shawfield Park, Glasgow, by 5 goals to 2. About 4000 spectators saw a game in which Aberdeen always held the advantage. An early lead gave them confidence, and they took a grip they never relaxed. Both in attack and defence they were the better all-round team, and while Clyde were plucky, they had neither the craft nor the nippiness of Aberdeen.

Injury to Love

The latter finished with ten men, Love sustaining slight concussion and having to be carried off before the close, but he recovered in the dressing-room and had no ill-effects.
All the Aberdeen players showed good form. Smith in goal was safe, and both backs, especially Jackson, were sound. At half-back, the team was splendidly served, and the forwards worked with rare harmony. McDermid and Yorston were crafty inside supports, and Merrie led the line with dash and skill, while Love and McLean on the extreme wings were speedy and dangerous raiders.

Clyde's Weakness.

Clyde were none too well served in goal, where Ross made several mistakes. McKay, the Inverness Thistle right back, making his debut, was better than Hamilton, but both were rather easily beaten, and had it not been for the strong defensive play and fine covering up by Gibson, Clyde must have been defeated more heavily.
Neither of the Shawfield wing half-backs distinguished himself, and in a forward line that was rearranged after the interval, King, Rankine, and Borland were best.

One for Yorston.

Aberdeen took the lead In four minutes when, after clever play between Hill and McLean, Yorston swung round to take the Clyde keeper by surprise. Smith might have equalised for Clyde, but dallied on the ball, and the Aberdeen goalkeeper ran out and cleared.
Subsequently Aberdeen served bright, attractive football, and several times went near to increasing their lead.
With eighteen minutes played, Clyde were 'gifted' the equaliser. Smith, in saving from Lowe, turned with the ball in his hands to avoid the Clyde centre-forward, and the Aberdeen 'keeper was adjudged to have been over the goal-line.

Lead Regained.

Aberdeen soon re-established their lead. Love broke away to shoot, and, with Ross failing to clear, Yorston netted from close range.
The latter's hat trick was completed shortly afterwards when he met a cross by Merrie and rather easily beat Ross, who missed the ball.
Clyde improved before the interval, but were well held, and Aberdeen were unfortunate not to score again when Yorston shot against the post. Aberdeen well deserved their half-time lead of 3?1.

Clyde Improvement.

A re-arranged Clyde attack was more prominent in the early stages of the second half, and the Aberdeen backs and goalkeeper were kept busy.
A great individual run by McDermid and a delightful pass to Merrie enabled the latter to net a fourth time for Aberdeen.
Clyde retaliated in vigorous fashion, and King, who had taken up the centre-forward position, broke through to score a great goal.
Subsequently the Aberdeen defence was kept on the stretch, but in the closing stages Clyde were again forced back on defence, and, while Love wag lying on the ground injured, McLean accepted a pass from Merrie to net a fifth time.

Source: Press & Journal, 8th December 1930