Queens Park 1 - 3 Aberdeen

Aberdeen triumphed in a thrilling encounter at Hampden Park, Glasgow, chiefly because their forwards made the most of the chances which went their way. The Queen's Park did not finish with the accuracy which characterised their leading-up manoeuvring. The encounter, which kept the onlookers on the tip-toe of excitement, exposed weaknesses in the Amateurs' front line. T. H. Bremner, who won admiration by his display against the Rangers the previous week, seldom got going with his customary dash and confidence. That had an adverse effect on Crawford, but the winger overcame the handicap by his sprightliness and quickness of action. McLelland was eager enough, but his lack of enterprise told heavily against him. The strength of the attack lay in the craft and understanding of McAlpine and McKenzie. The inside-left man on one occasion was unlucky with a shot which beat Smith and struck a post, the ball running along the goal-line and curling past the far-off post. All the half-backs did well, particularly Gillespie. Like the Amateurs, Aberdeen possessed resourceful and virile half-backs. Hill, a splendid purveyor, was the pick. Although he was lucky to see his charge escape more than once, Smith made no mistakes in the Pittodrie goal. He was ably guarded by Cooper, whose kicking earned him unstinted praise. No forward could match the cunning of McDermid in opening up the game. His scheming was the means of making the task of his colleagues infinitely simpler than it might have been otherwise. Yorston was seldom seen, but Love was a shrewd and profitable forward. Harvey's hesitancy led to the only goal of the first half scored by Aberdeen through Galloway. The reward of his consistency went to McDermid late in the second half, when he met the ball as it came off an Amateur defender and sent it into the net. Crawford quickly reduced the leeway, but three minutes later Yorston got in to register a third goal for the visitors. The attendance would be about 12,000.

Source: The Scotsman, 26th October 1931

Rangers' Conquerors Beaten.

A ten thousand crowd at Hampden saw Aberdeen put a stop to the long run of success enjoyed by Queen's Park in the League tourney. The Dons were worthy winners by 3 goals to 1, and this "away" victory will do much to strengthen the confidence of the Pittodrie players for the stiff programme that lies ahead.
Never at any time was there much between the teams. Both had their periods of superiority, but Aberdeen held the advantage as far as team work was concerned. Their defence was more reliable and their forwards always more dangerous.

McGill Pleases.

With Jackson on the injured list McGill was introduced at left-back, and against James Crawford, Scotland's crack sprinter, was a decided success. Deficient in speed, the Aberdeen back countered this defect by showing excellent judgment, but Hill's contribution to the success of the full back should not be overlooked. The left-half played one his best games, and a feature of the match was the excellent co-operation between him and the man immediately in rear.
While the defence is due praise the attack played its part well. Not all the chances offered were accepted by the Dons, but they were more dangerous than the home quintette, and the goals they scored were models of opportunism.
The first came in twenty-three minutes and at the time was rather against the run of play because the amateurs had been attacking in futile fashion and McKenzie and Bremner had both missed from favourable positions.
McLean essayed a shot that Harvey attempted to clear but he only sent the ball to Galloway, who netted with a grounder from a crowd of players. This goal separated the teams at the interval.

McDermid's Goal.

Aberdeen showed refreshing keenness in the earlier stages of the second-half, when, owing to injury to Harvey, the Amateurs rearranged their team, Bremner taking the right back position, Crawford going to inside right, and Harvey to the wing.
After twenty minutes Aberdeen got a second goal. The home defence wavered, and Love centred for Yorston to slip the ball back to McDermid, who shot into the side of the net from about fifteen yards' range.
Previous to this, McLelland had headed against the Aberdeen crossbar, and the effort was typical of several made by the Amateurs, who were distinctly unfortunate in their finishing.
A fast movement by the Queen's right resulted in James Crawford scoring with a brilliant shot from a narrow angle, Smith having no chance to save.
The reverse spurred Aberdeen to greater effort, and they were rewarded when McDermid eluded two defenders to slip the ball through for Yorston to score from close in.
Subsequently, the Amateurs made numerous raids, and McAlpine, after a great individual effort, shot against the post, the ball rebounding and running along the goal-line before McGill came to the rescue with a timely clearance.
Until the close each side attacked in turn, but Aberdeen played with the confidence born of their two goals' lead, and, with the defence in tip-top form, they were not stretched to retain their advantage.

Players Who Shone.

The winners were splendidly served by Smith, in goal, and Cooper and McGill made an excellent combination at back. Hill was the star half-back on view, but McLaren and Black were also in fine form. Forward the honours went to McDermid, whose scheming and leading up work was delightful. Love responded in his best style, and Yorston, although handicapped by injury, showed rare judgment in passing.
If playing grand football at times, the Amateurs lacked punch in attack, and were none too well served in defence. Smith did well in goal, and Dickson was the better back. As pivot, Gillespie was a tower of strength, but the forwards were patchy, with McKenzie and McAlpine easily the best.

Source: Press & Journal, 26th October 1931