Aberdeen 4 - 3 Queen of the South

SCARE FOR DONS AT PITTODRIE

Just Manage to Beat the Queens

Aberdeen had anxious moments before they got the better of Queen of the South at Pittodrie. Rarely will the Dons have to fight harder for victory.
The issue was in doubt till the final whistle. As a matter of fact the visitors had the ball the net in the last minute, but the referee's whistle had previously gone for an infringement.
The match will go down in history as the day of penalties. No fewer than four spot kicks were awarded - two to each side - and all were converted.
Luck was often with Queen of the South. On occasions, too numerous to particularise scoring shots were blocked. With a slight of fortune's wheel Aberdeen might have won handsomely, but as it was they might just as easily have lost point.

Not Championship Form

The Dons did not reveal championship form, and there will have to be all-round improvement if they are to retain their exalted position.
The Dumfries team's fast open style of play upset the home defence, while the attack, smart enough in the outfield, could not break down a grim and determined Queen of the South rear division.
The homesters got a fright five minutes after the start when their opponents took the lead. Cooper fouled Tulip while protecting his 'keeper, and the left-winger made no mistake mistake from the penalty spot.
Before the crowd could recover from this early shock the Dons were on level terms. Culbert interfered with Beynon inside the penalty area as the winger was going through, and Armstrong netted from the spot kick.
Aberdeen took the lead in the eighteenth minute. Devers accepted a pass from Thomson and squared the ball almost at the corner flag. Beynon dashed in and made a flying dive to head past Fotheringham.

Queen's Equalise

Queen of the South got on level terms thirteen minutes from the interval. English raced after an upfield pass from Anderson (W.), back heeled to Cumming, and the inside right ran through to send into the net.
The visitors were a trifle unfortunate not to score in the opening minutes of the second half. Smith missed a cross from Tulip and McGill on the goal line, managed to force the ball out. It came to English, and Smith, while lying on his back, shot up his foot to stop the centre's drive.
With eight minutes gone Queen of the South were awarded another penalty for McGill fouling McKay. Tulip again netted to give his side the lead. This reverse roused the Dons, and in their next attack a defender handled a shot by Fraser inside the penalty area and Armstrong converted to put his side on level terms.
The winning goal, which came in the twenty-third minute, was rather a tame affair. Armstrong back-heeled the ball to Mills and the inside-left slipped it out to Devers. who was lying unmarked. The reserve left winger failed to bring the ball under control as it came to him, but had time to recover, and found the net with a grounder which did not appear to have much sting behind it.

Where Honours Lie

The honours in the Aberdeen attack go to Beynon and McKenzie on the right. The extreme winger was in a sprightly mood, and was the most dangerous of the quintette. McKenzie was smart on the ball, and his passes were well directed.
Armstrong was too well guarded by Allan to do much damage, while Mills was but a shadow of the player who starred at Kilmarnock the previous week. Devers, who deputised for Lang, was wholehearted enough, but was slow in bringing the ball under control.
Little was seen of the wing halves in attack. They had their hands full in trying to subdue a breezy Queen's forward line. Thomson was the better of the two, Fraser having a poor day. English kept Falloon busy.
Smith in goal did not inspire confidence, while Cooper never succeeded in mastering Tulip. The right back was not the cool and calculating defender of Wednesday's international at Ibrox. McGill, although not brilliant, played a sound game.

Queen's Defenders Good,/p> The Queen the South defence deserves praise for a wholehearted display. Fotheringham in goal had many brilliant, and one or two lucky saves. He was well served by two hard-working backs in Savage and Culbert, and Allan, too, played a leading role in the breaking up of the Aberdeen attack.
The Dumfries club have a smart forward line, which will trouble lots of defences. The star was Tulip. Every time he got the ball he threatened danger. Next in order of merit is Cumming, a clever and progressive inside right.
English led the line well, but missed a great opportunity of equalising in the late stages of the second half. Anderson (W.) gave him the ball after smart work by Cumming, but the centre, when well placed, sent weakly past.

Source: Press & Journal, 4th November 1935