Aberdeen 1 - 0 Falkirk

The Aberdeen team as constituted on Saturday will not do. Certainly they defeated Falkirk, but theirs was not a glorious victory.

A powerful Thomson drive from over twenty yards' range in the twenty-second minute of the second half entered the corner of the net to give them victory. Without wishing to detract from Thomson's goal, one must admit that the team as a whole takes little credit from the game.
The Dons had seventy-five percent of the play, but one had almost given up hope of victory when Thomson came to the rescue.
Lack of punch in attack is a familiar complaint so far as Aberdeen is concerned, and it was again much in evidence on Saturday. Five forwards, and not a match-winner among them, describes the Aberdeen attack.
The forwards were rarely out of the Falkirk penalty area, yet they never gave the impression of being dangerous.

Newcomers on View

An injury to Mills necessitated a change in attack, Conwell deputising, while Devers was preferred to Warnock at inside right.
With Spittal on the left wing, Aberdeen had three of their junior captures out, but none set the heather on fire. After his good display at Firhill the previous week, Spittal disappointed, and Conwell and Devers, although showing clever touches, did not fit into the scheme of things.
All three are lacking in experience. They may develop once they play Alliance League football for a spell.
Moore did not receive much support from his inside men, and had to manoeuvre too much on his own, but at the same time he did not impress.
Benyon was the best of the line, time and again he took the Dons on attack with fast raids and good crosses, but so far as shooting was concerned he was no better than the others.
The Aberdeen half-back line was sound in defence, but considering the amount of pressure exerted by the homesters they were not that prominent in attack.

Fraser the Best

Fraser was again the best of the trio, although he did not reveal the form of the previous week at Firhill. Falloon was opposed to a robust centre-forward in Bartram, but the Irishman gave as good as he got. Falloon was splendid in defence, but he was rarely seen in attack. Thomson was a trifle slow, and his second half display was an improvement on his first.
Smith in goal did what little he had to do confidently. He was well covered by Falloon, McGill and Cooper. The last-named played strongly throughout.
Falkirk believe in taking the shortest route to goal, but when they get there they suffer from the same weakness as Aberdeen, although they had not have half the number of chances that came Aberdeen's way.
Murray, Nisbet, and Hamill are a sound rear trio. Although the Dons were weak at close quarters, the Falkirk defence is due credit for a steady and whole-hearted display.

Showed Promise

Strathie, who came in for international centre-half Lowe, showed promise. A big strong chap, he hung on to Moore grimly all afternoon.
Shankley, at left-half, played well without being brilliant, while the only member of the attack to impress was Milloy.
Bartram, despite his best efforts, failed to shake off Falloon, while the extreme wingers Peat and Walker, could make nothing of McGill and Cooper.
Aberdeen play Queen of the South at Pittodrie on Wednesday, and they will have to show a big improvement if they are to get the better of the go-ahead Dumfries side.
There is bound to be changes in the Aberdeen side, but the directors' task is not one to be envied.

Source: Press & Journal, 20th August 1934