Aberdeen 1 - 1 Partick Thistle

In a storm of wind, rain and sleet, Aberdeen and Partick Thistle had a desperate struggle at Pittodrie. The contest ended all square, each scoring once, but the honours of the game went to Partick Thistle, who, except for few minutes at the start, had to battle with ten men.
Early in the game F. Pope, the Thistle's inside right, came down heavily, and it was later ascertained he had fractured his right collar bone. Handicapped by his departure, Thistle showed great fighting spirit.

Was It a Goal?

In the first half Aberdeen had what advantage could be desired by playing before the gale, but they failed to adapt themselves to the conditions, and, although having the better of the exchanges territorially, were well held when it came to shooting.
There was an occasion when Love delivered a fierce shot that Jackson, the Thistle goalkeeper, saved, but it appeared as if he pulled the ball back from over the goal-line. Aberdeen appealed for a goal, but the referee decided otherwise.
In their occasional sallies, Thistle forwards were always dangerous, and Simpson and Tarbet both went close with fine tries.

Wonderful Save.

The narrowest escapes, however, were at the Thistle end, where Jackson effected a wonderful save from Yorston, and just on the interval the centre-forward and Smith both failed to connect with an inviting ball from Love.
The second half was only a minute old when Thistle took the lead. Torbet made ground the left and his cross was picked up by Ness, who was unmarked and netted deliberately from close in.
Aberdeen were only eight minutes in arrears. McDermid cut out the work, and sending a perfect up-the-centre pass to Yorston, the latter ran on to give Jackson no chance.
Subsequently Thistle gave as much they got, and it was only a daring dive by Smith to the feet of Simpson and Ness that saved Aberdeen after Ballantyne had scattered the home defence.
On another occasion Simpson got past the Aberdeen backs, but again Smith ran out and, after putting the forward off his shot, gained possession and cleared.
Aberdeen made desperate efforts in the closing stages, and Jackson was often in action, but Thistle thoroughly earned their right to a replay.

Praise for Partick.

The Partick thistle players are deserving of great credit for their plucky display under the double handicap of having lost F. Pope and having had to contend with the gale in the first half. There was not a weak spot in their side. Jackson kept a great goal, and the work of Calderwood and Rae could scarcely have been improved upon. Although he found Yorston elusive, Boardman was brilliant at centre-half, his covering up being wonderful, and Elliot and McLeod were tireless.
All four forwards pulled their weight, Simpson and Ballantyne especially being brilliant.

Disappointments.

Several of the Aberdeen players did not take kindly to the conditions, notably McLean and Smith (J.), who made a disappointing left wing, and McLaren at centre-half failed to touch his form.
S. Smith in goal was brilliant, as was Cooper at right back, and Jackson too acquitted himself well at left back. Black was easily the best of the middle division, and forward, McDermid, Yorston, and Love, in that order, were best.

Replay on Wednesday.

The replay will be at Firhill Park, Glasgow, on Wednesday. Kick-off, 2.30. The official returns showed that 15,053 persons paid for admission. The divisible gate amounted to £587, and the stand drawings to £214.

Source: Press & Journal, 2nd February 1931

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