Aberdeen 5 - 2 Dundee United

Aberdeen's convincing victory of five goals to two over Dundee United at Pittodrie Park was well deserved, because of the constructional combined play which characterised the second period. It was that type of play which secured the goals - two by Yorston, two by McLean, and one by Love. The half-back line - Black, McLaren, and Hill - saw that the forwards got the ball as often as possible, and found that in systematic aggression lay the team's best defence. Both the Dundee United's goals were obtained in the first half, the first from Brant, the inside left, and the second from a penalty kick by Gardiner. The centre-half, and it was their defensive play which was most prominent subsequently, McIntosh, the custodian, and the backs, Taylor and Parson, having a particularly lively time. Logie, who took the place of Bennett at centre-forward, was too well watched to do anything effective. There were 10,000 spectators.

Source: Scotsman, 19th October 1931

Although they got a fright during the first half-hour of their game with Dundee United at Pittodrie, Aberdeen were worthy winners in the end by five goals to two.
Ten thousand people watched what was an interesting game, for although the United were well beaten in the second half, they repeatedly fought back and put up a stubborn resistance throughout.

Two Quick Goals.

The scoring opened in five minutes, when McLean essayed a shot for Aberdeen, and Penson, in attempting to clear, only sent the ball to the feet of the onrushing Yorston, who promptly netted.
United fought back in spirited fashion, and after McLean had blocked what must otherwise have been a counting shot, Brand scored a particularly fine goal.
The visitors' kick-and-rush tactics unsettled Aberdeen, who showed a tendency to forsake their usually more studied methods, and the policy did not pay. Both ends were assailed, and neither defence stood up well to pressure.
Aberdeen took the lead when Mclntosh, in clearing from Love, fisted the ball down to McLean, and the latter cleverly lobbed it into the net over the heads of several players.
Again the United were not long in arrears, and in their next raid were awarded a penalty, Cooper being held to have fouled Logie. Gardiner took the kick, and scored.
Until the interval Aberdeen had slightly the better of matters, but they were lucky on at least one occasion, when McLaren cleared after Smith had been beaten.

Yorston Again.

Aberdeen early asserted themselves In the second half. In five minutes Yorston re-established their lead after shots by himself and McDermid had been blocked. Logie might have reduced the leeway following fine work by Radcliffe, but shot badly.
Midway through the period Aberdeen got a fourth goal. To find relief Taylor passed the ball hard back to his 'keeper, who failed to gather, and it bounced off him to the feet of Love, who netted easily.
Thereafter Aberdeen eased up, and the visitors' wingers came into prominence, without, however, presenting a serious threat to Smith.
A fifth goal fell to Aberdeen when Yorston made it easy for McLean to go ahead and find the net, the ball passing between the goalkeeper's legs. Near the close Galloway shot against a post.

Outstanding Players.

After being unsteady in the early part of the game, the Aberdeen defence recovered. Gooper was sound at back, and Black was easily the best of the intermediate division.
Forward the honours went to Yorston, McLean, and Love. The first-named excelled in making openings and distributing the ball, and McLean was the most dangerous attacker on view.
McIntosh, in the Dundee United goal, was not blameless for the heavy defeat. Taylor defended well, but Penson was easily beaten, and of the half-backs Gardiner was best. In a smart forward line that was none too well supported, Radcliffe, Brant, and Kay were most prominent.

Source: Press & Journal, 19th October 1931