Aberdeen 5 - 1 Ayr United

Aberdeen, at the start of the match with Ayr United at Pittodrie Park, did not look like bringing off their ultimate victory of five goals to one. When only three minutes of the match had gone they were a goal in arrears, the scorer being their former colleague, Merrie, now Ayr United's centre forward. Improved passing play, however, enabled Warnock, the right winger, and Beattie, the inside-right, to obtain one goal each. The other goal came as a result of a penalty kick taken by the centre-forward, Yorston. The better distribution of Aberdeen's forward play seemed to please the majority of the 12,000 spectators. There was never any indication of the centre-forward only being supplied with the ball, and Warnock undoubtedly made good use of the opportunities that came his way. Black, McLaren, and Hill were a very steady and useful half-back line for Aberdeen. Ayr United's half-backs, Taylor, Yorke, and Fleming, also did good work, and on their left wing Brae and Tolland were outstanding.

Source: Scotsman, 21st September 1931

Aberdeen got fright when Merrie got through to give Ayr United the lead after only four minutes' play in their league game at Pittodrie. The scores were levelled ten minutes later, and after that all was plain sailing for Aberdeen, who ultimately won by 5-1.

About ten thousand watched what was interesting game, in which Aberdeen's re-constituted attack showed up well, and one got the impression that after the interval the home team played well within themselves.

An Early Goal.,/p> The scoring opened when Merrie accepted an adroit pass by Tolland to run through between the backs and net with a well-placed grounder.
Aberdeen subsequently attacked with vigour, and several shots had been blocked before Warnock accepted a back-heel pass by Yorston to equalise from close range. For the most part Aberdeen had the better of the exchanges for the next quarter of an hour, but failed to get in a really telling shot.
On one occasion while the Aberdeen defence stood up and claimed for "off-side," Merrie got through, but harassed by Cooper sent wide of an untenanted goal, Smith having run out in an effort to save the situation.

Yorston's Penalty.

In the course of an Aberdeen attack, McCall, the visitors' left back, handled in the penalty area, and Yorston gave Aberdeen the lead from the spot.
Although there were brisk attacks by both sets of forwards, there was no further scoring before the interval.
Brae gave the home 'keeper trouble with a strong shot on the resumption, but Aberdeen quickly took a grip. Yorston slipped the ball forward to Warnock, who netted easily from close in. Ayr fought back pluckily, and Taylor had the home 'keeper in action to a fierce free kick.
Following this Galloway netted from a cross by Yorston, but the goal was disallowed for some infringement that was not obvious.

Dons' Nap Hand.

A fourth goal fell to Aberdeen when Yorston worked along the right and centred accurately for Love to send home. In a raid by Ayr, Smith had to turn a great shot by Armory round the post, but Aberdeen had the issue well in hand and it was no surprise when Beattie met a rebound off a shot by Warnock to shoot a fifth goal and round off the scoring.

Easy Winners.

Aberdeen were the easiest of winners. Smith in goal had not a great deal to do, and Cooper was a splendid right back, but Sharp, his partner, did not show at all well.
McLaren was handicapped by an early injury and was not so successful as usual, but Black and Hill were at their best. Warnock, making his debut at outside-right, created a very favourable impression, and besides being dangerous near goal struck up a fine understanding with Beattie who, if a trifle slow, was a penetrative forward.
Yorston led the line with great skill, and three of the goals scored by others were primarily the outcome of his spade work. Galloway showed artistry and his ball control and dribbling were one the features of the game. Love, without being brilliant, acquitted himself well on the left wing.

Moderate Opposition.

Smith in the Ayr goal was blameless for the defeat of his team, but the backs and half-backs were weak. McGillivray, Tolland and Brae were clever and thrustful forwards but the lack of support from behind told against their effectiveness, and Merrie was rather cumbersome in the centre.

Source: Press & Journal, 21st September 1931