Hamilton 3 - 0 Aberdeen

The visit of Aberdeen to Douglas Park was productive of a struggle that was well worth seeing. Despite the handicaps of treacherous footing and a heavy ball, both sides played remarkably fine and fast football.
Hamilton won deservedly. Both in defence and attack they were more impressive than their opponents, who seemed to rely more on brilliant individualism than on any attempt at team work. Hamilton's superiority was most marked at half-back, and in Watson they had the most outstanding player of the match.
The Aberdeen forwards showed many clever touches - particularly Yorston and McDermid - and against a less resolute defence might have done a lot of damage. Two well taken goals by Moffat gave Academicals a comfortable lead at the interval. In the second half Aberdeen made a bold but unsuccessful bid to save a point, and two minutes from time Herd scored a third goal for Hamilton.

Source: Glasgow Herald, 15th December 1930

Beaten by Three Clear Goals

There were about 4000 spectators at Hamilton where the Academicals beat Aberdeen by 3 goals to 0. After frost and rain, the pitch early cut up badly, and the Academicals adapted themselves better to the conditions. Aberdeen at times played good football, but they lacked something of the dash and cohesion of their opponents, who were a better all-round company, and if flattered by the margin, were deserving winners.

Form of Players.

Aberdeen were splendidly served by Smith in goal, and Jackson at right back was the best defender on the field. His partner, Legge, was weak, and it was largely his inability to hold the Academicals' right wing that accounted for the defeat.
The half-backs did not quite touch their best form, Black being best. In attack, Yorston and Love were always outstanding and made many fine tries, but Merrie failed at centre-forward, and McLean and McDermid did not give of their best, the first-named having a very bad miss to his credit.

A Brilliant Wing

Academicals were admirably served by Gilmour in goal, the 'keeper stopping several terrific shots by Love. Allan and Wilson were sound backs, and in a very serviceable middle line, Watson was outstanding. In F. Wilson and Moffat, the Academicals had the best wing on the field, and it was from this quarter that the Aberdeen defence experienced most danger.
Aberdeen were forced on the defensive in the opening stages, and Smith had to save dangerous shots by D. Wilson, F. Wilson, and Moffat. After ten minutes Aberdeen improved, and McDermid had a shot "killed" by a defender's hand, but the referee did not agree an infringement had been committed.

First Goal

With 18 minutes gone Academicals took the lead, F. Wilson centring for Moffat to leave Smith helpless. Shortly afterwards the home right winger again centred beautifully, and Moffat headed a second goal.
Forcing play resulted in McLean and Love missing narrowly for Aberdeen, but towards the interval the Academicals had the better of the exchanges, and the Aberdeen defence was hard pressed to prevent further scoring.

A Bad Miss

Aberdeen made a promising start in the second half, and shots by McLean, Yorston and Love were blocked by defenders.
Subsequently the Accies' goal had another let-off when a McLean cross was met by Love, and the ball deflected by a defender. Love and Yorston made valiant efforts for Aberdeen, but force of numbers beat them, Allan on on occasion dashing in to clear when Yorston was in the act of shooting.
In a dashing raid by the home forwards, King netted a third time, but the referee, after consulting a linesman, disallowed the goal. Aberdeen rallied again near the close, but were met by a resolute defence, and two minutes from the end Herd got through to snatch a third goal for the Academicals.

Source: Press & Journal, 15th December 1930