Hibernian 1 - 2 Aberdeen

About 8000 were present at the match at Easter Road, Edinburgh, between the Hibernians and Aberdeen, counter-attractions telling against the attendance at a game which was very important in its result for the Edinburgh side. Aberdeen won by two goals to one, and they did so rather against the run of the play, though there was no doubt they were the more cohesive side. With better shooting, however, the Hibernians would not have been beaten, but their their forwards were usually quite inept in front of goal, only McColl showing any ability at close quarters. He was unlucky in some of his efforts, and notably on two occasions when Jackson headed out hard-driven balls from just under the bar. An injury to Wilkinson in the second half disorganised the Edinburgh side to a certain extent, but the teamwork was never as good as that of Aberdeen, who got their results with a far smaller expenditure of energy. Blyth was an excellent goalkeeper for the Hibernians, and Urquhart did well at back after miskicking several times in the early stages of the game. Macfarlane was outstanding at half-back, his display against the powerful Aberdeen right wing being very fine, and he never omitted to feed his forwards. Watson was also good in a defensive sense at centre-half.
The winners were a nicely-balanced side, but they were a little fortunate to win by means of a "run-away" goal four minutes from the end. Smith was a clever goalkeeper on the few occasions he was tested, and Falloon was the better of the two backs, who usually kicked strongly and accurately. McLaren was a splendid general at centre-half, and Black backed up his forwards well from right-half. David scored both the goals, but was otherwise the least prominent of the forwards, who combined smartly, and shot whenever they got a chance. Watson scored for the Hibernians from a penalty kick ten minutes after the start, and David equalised at the end of half an hour. Aberdeen generally had the better of the play during the early half. The Hibernians were the more aggressive team after the interval, but their fatal fault of bad shooting proved their undoing. Aberdeen survived several periods of hard pressure, during which victory should have been made secure for the Easter Road club.

Source: Scotsman, 23rd March 1931

DAVID GETS TWO

Winning by 2-1 at Easter Road, Edinburgh, Aberdeen dealt a serious blow to Hibernian hopes of escaping relegation. There were 5000 spectators.

Aberdeen, who were without Yorston, Cooper and Hill, well deserved their victory. They were much the better team in the fist half, when but for the fine goalkeeping of Blyth they might have established a commanding lead.
For the first twenty-five minutes of the second period Hibernian exerted steady pressure, but their forwards were weak near goal, and Smith had a comparatively easy time in the winners' goal.
In the later stages of the game, Aberdeen came away in great style, and it was their due when they obtained the winning goal three minutes from the end.

Penalty for Hibs.

Play was fairly even for the first ten minutes during which each defence was tested in turn, but Hibs had a slice of luck when McLaren was adjudged to have fouled Brown in the penalty area, and Watson beat Smith with the spot kick.
Subsequently Aberdeen developed with punch, and with the forwards showing clever combination and shooting accurately and often, they kept the Hibs' defence on the stretch, and Blyth was busy. He saved from all the Aberdeen forwards before the equaliser came after twenty-five minutes' play.

David's Equaliser.

Donald pushed the ball ahead to McLean, and from Dickie's centre David headed through after Blyth had left his goal in an effort to intercept.
Aberdeen continued to have much the better of the exchanges, and Blyth was repeatedly cheered for good saves.
Hibs re-arranged their team in the second half, but while their attack was more in evidence it lacked shooting ability.
Love, McDermid, David, Dickie, Black, Donald, and McLaren were all prominent when Aberdeen staged a late revival, and on several occasions the home goal was fortunate to escape further downfall.

Belated Success.

With three minutes left Dickie and David forced their way through the Hibs defence, and in a mix-up David crashed through the winning goal.
Aberdeen were the better team all over. Smith was very safe in goal, and Falloon and Jackson were much better backs than the home pair. Black, McLaren, and Donald made an excelolent half-back trio, and their work paved the way for Aberdeen's victory.
All the forwards played well, with Love, McDermid, and David outstanding.
On a poor Hibernian team the players who mattered most were Blyth, Urquhart, Brown, and Lauder.

Hibs' Plight.

Hibs, with only one of their remaining four games at home are now in a desperate plight.

Source: Press & Journal, 23rd March 1931