Hibernian 1 - 4 Aberdeen
HT Score: Hibernian 1 - 1 Aberdeen
Div 1 (Old)
Hibernian scorers: Walls 15Aberdeen scorers: Warnock 32, Warnock 59, Scott 72, McKenzie 75.
04/01/1936 | KO:
RETURN TO FORM
Dons Beat Hibs by Three Goals
INJURED PLAYERS MISSED
Aberdeen made a welcome return to winning form at Easter Road on Saturday. Although their play was not to championship standard - they are missing Armstrong and Lang in attack - the Dons were an improved side compared with Thursday, when they drew with Dunfermline. Hibs were handicapped by injury to Wilkinson, who was practically a passenger on the wing from an early period in the first half. The right back's injury coincided with improvement in the play of the Aberdeen team, who finished easy winners. Whether or not the Edinburgh men would have succeeded in sharing the points had they been at full strength can only be a matter of speculation. It can be said, however, that the Dons were the stronger side on a heavy ground, and finished a much fresher side than Hibs.Hibs Draw First Blood
Aberdeen did not start confidently, and for the first fourteen minutes neither goalkeeper was called on to make a save. When Hibs took the lead fifteen minutes alter the start the Dons' prospects did not look any too promising, but gradually they improved. The opening goal was the result of a defensive blunder. Smith ran from his charge but failed to get his hands to an Egan free-kick, and Black headed the ball goalwards for Walls to rush in and 'mak siccar." Seventeen minutes later Aberdeen drew level in almost identical fashion. A Mills header from a Cooper free-kick had Hill beaten when Warnock nipped in to send into the net. Aberdeen favoured more open tactics in the second half, and this was responsible in no small measure for their success. Wilkinson was off having his injury attended when Aberdeen took the lead fourteen minutes after the re-start. A McKenzie lob saw Warnock dash into the centre to beat Hill with a header. When Wilkinson resumed at outside right Wilson dropped back to right back and Gowdy right half. With relegation looming dangerously near, Hibs fought desperately, despite their handicap, and several times they made positional changes in a vain effort to save the day.Won and Lost
The game was won and lost when Scott got a third goal twenty-seven minutes after the re-start. The centre fastened on to Warnock pass and banged it into the net before Hill could intercept it. Three minutes later McKenzie put the issue beyond doubt with a fourth goal. Scott nodded down a cross from Warnock, and the inside right made no mistake. The Aberdeen defence was generally sound. Smith, in goal, had a number of good saves, while Cooper and McGill defended dourly. The latter experienced some difficulty with Brady, but Cooper was strong and steady throughout. Falloon did much valuable work in defence. He and Black, a small and elusive centre, had many keen duels, but all over the honours rested with the Irishman. Thomson gave a fine exposition of wing-half play, being mobile in defence and strong and forceful in attack. Fraser, although less conspicuous than the left half, worked hard throughout.Attack Clever, But?..
The attack was wholehearted and clever at times, but lacked the understanding which is apparent when Armstrong and Lang are playing. Warnock had a poor first half, during which he was slow to get the ball across. After the interval there was a big improvement in his play. He scored two goals, and played a prominent part in the other two. Although still below his best form, Mills showed an improvement on recent displays.He it was who was mainly responsible for the opening up of the attack after the interval. McKenzie was a strong forcing inside forward, whose only fault was that he was inclined to work too close to his partner before giving the pass. Smith (R.) was a hardworking and plucky outside left, while Scott at centre, although deficient in speed, showed smart touches.Hibs Must Buck Up
Hibs will have to buck up if they are avoid a return to the Second Division. Their defence put up a plucky fight. Hill was a capable 'keeper, and Wilkinson, until he was injured, was a sound and strong-kicking back. Wilson gave a plucky display, both at right-half and right back, but Jones, the Edinburgh club's Irish importation, did not impress. Egan was the outstanding half-back. Brady, at outside right, was a most enterprising and dangerous forward, and was unfortunate not to find the net early in the second half with a glorious drive which struck the crossbar. Walls and Black also took the eye occasionally, but were not consistent.Source: Press & Journal, 6th January 1936
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Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen AB24 5QH
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen AB24 5QH