Hamilton 2 - 3 Aberdeen

They Might Have Led 5-0 at Half-Time

HARD STRUGGLE WITS SPIRITED ACCIES

Aberdeen surmounted the Douglas Park hurdle only after a hard struggle. They laid the foundation for their victory in the first half, when they gave a clever exhibition.

Supported by a smart pair of wing halves in Fraser and Thomson, the Aberdeen forwards bewildered the Accies' defence by the slickness and accuracy of their attacks.
Had they accepted nil the chances that came their way the Dons could have led by five instead of three goals to nil at half-time. As it was they seemed to have the game well won, but they had reckoned without the fighting spirit of the homesters.

Dons' Error

After the interval Hamilton revealed a big improvement, and Aberdeen erred inasmuch as they appeared content with a three-goal lead. The Accies must be given credit for their fine recovery in the second half, but there is no denying that on the day's play the points went to the better team.
Aberdeen's wise policy of keeping play open on greasy ground met with reward six minutes after the start. It was a well-conceived movement that led to the goal.
Armstrong let Beynon away on the right, and the winger cut in and slipped the ball to Mills, who walked it into the net past Frame.
Shortly after this success Lang should have increased the Dons' lead when he raced into the middle to gather an Armstrong pass and sent weakly into the 'keeper's hands.
With twelve minutes gone, the Dons went further ahead. The ball came to Warnock following a well-placed corner, and the inside right's drive landed in the net off Wallace.

Chance Lost

Another chance was lost when Beynon got clean through, and in attempting to lift the ball over the advancing Frame's head sent over the bar. Aberdeen's third goal came after half hour, Warnock raced with the ball from a Beynon slip and sent to Armstrong. The centre who was covered, touched it out to the unmarked Lang, who ran forward to give Frame no chance.
In the early part of the second period the Aberdeen goal ran several escapes before it fell in the sixteenth minute. First Wilson headed a Thomson free kick against the crossbar and then he failed to grasp a gilt-edged opportunity when Smith palmed a drive from the right to his feet, and he failed to connect.
The centre, however, played a big part in the scoring of the first, goal. It was he who nodded a cross down for Reid to drive it into the net.
Accies were on top during this period, but twice offside spoiled promising Aberdeen movements, and twice Beynon missed possible scoring chances, one from an Armstrong cross and the second from a Lang cross.
Hamilton's perseverance was rewarded four minutes from the end, when Wilson banged the ball into the net from a Harrison pass.

Aberdeen Players' Work

Smith in the Aberdeen goal was a busy man in the second half, but he acquitted himself well. He received splendid protection from Cooper and McGill, who positioned themselves cleverly and tackled and kicked strongly. Falloon, too, played hard in defence, although he had his hands full with Wilson.
Fraser and Thomson have struck up a splendid understanding with the forwards, and it was a delight to watch this pair participating in the Dons' attacks in the first half. Thomson seems to have struck his best form, while Fraser has recovered much of his old vitality.
The attack had the Hamilton defence completely at sea in the first half hour. Lang was the pick of the quintette. He was fast and dangerous on the ball, and was the prime mover in many of the attacking movements.
Beynon was a hard-working right winger, but he must learn to grasp the chances which come his way. Armstrong was a clever leader, and although he did not find the net he was quick to make openings for others.
Mills and Warnock were seen to advantage In the first half. After the interval they fell back to assist in defence. Mills was sprightly and dangerous, and Warnock, who deputised for the injured McKenzie, pulled his weight.

Courageous Fight Back

Hamilton took too long to settle, but they are to be congratulated on their courageous fight back in the second period. Frame, newly recovered from illness, kept a good goal, and the backs, Wallace and Bulloch, improved after half-time.
In Young they possessed a hard-working pivot, and both Cox and Thomson, although not consistent, showed smart touches. The attack was speedy and combined well at times, but their finishing was not all it might have been.
Gilmour was a clever inside right and the outstanding home forward. Wilson showed some of his old speed and dash, and King took the eye on occasions, but neither Harrison nor Reid touched their best form.

Source: Press & Journal, 16th December 1935