Aberdeen 3 - 0 St. Johnstone

Brilliant Play in First Half

Brilliant play in the first half enabled Aberdeen to gain a decisive victory over St Johnstone at Pittodrie. This was the fourth meeting between the teams since November. In the League match at Perth the teams divided the points in a goal-less draw; in the third round of the Scottish Cup at Pittodrie they finished level with one goal each, and in the replay at Muirton Park a penalty goal by Thomson decided the issue in Aberdeen's favour.
By the manner of their victory on Saturday the Dons dispelled any doubts that may have remained as to their superiority over St Johnstone. Aberdeen were no in way flattered by the margin of their victory, and had they retained their first-half form after the interval they might well have won by double the score.

Never in Doubt

From the time the Dons took the lead in the seventh minute the issue was never in the slightest doubt. They gave a clever exhibition of combined play and within nineteen minutes were three goals ahead.
The inside forwards, McKenzie, Armstrong and Mills, worked with such skill and understanding that the Perth defence could not cope with them. The opening goal came as the result of a penalty, but in all probability Armstrong would have scored had he not been tackled illegitimately. The centre and Beynon broke through on the right and the former was in the act shooting when was pulled down by Wylie. Mills placed the spot-kick in the corner of the net.

Lead Increased
With twelve minutes gone the homesters increased their advantage. Mills picked up a pass from McKenzie and quickly sent the ball up the middle. An exciting race for possession ensued between Armstrong, Wylie and Littlejohn. The two first-named arrived at the ball together and it rebounded off the 'keeper to the right. Armstrong quickly followed up and smartly lobbed the ball over Wylie's head into the net.
Seven minutes later Welsh made a weak clearance and Armstrong slipped the ball out the right for Beynon to run on and beat Wylie with a hard drive.
The play of the Aberdeen team did not reach the same high level in the second half, but they still heId the balance of play and finished easy winners. The home defence generally had the measure of the St. Johnstone attack, and much of the credit for this is due to Falloon, who disorganised the Perth van by effectively bottling up Beattie.
Westland in goal had a comparatively quiet time, so smart was the covering-up of Cooper, McGill and Falloon. The backs were strong and confident and gave their respective wingers little scope.
Devine, the reserve Inside forward, was given a trial at right half, and played a hard game. He tackled strongly and had several good forcing runs. Fraser, at left half, gave a sound display.
The forwards gave one of their best displays of the season in the first half. Mills touched his best form, his mazy dribbles and clever distribution making him the outstanding attacker afield.
Armstrong led the line with his former skill and dash, and McKenzie was clever on the ball and was quick to make openings. Beynon was a lively right winger, but Lang on the other touch line was still short of his best form.

Plucky Defenders

St Johnstone were plucky in defence, but the attack was disjointed and deficient in finishing power. Wylie kept a good goal and received excellent support from Welsh and Taylor. Littlejohn put in a power of work in defence, but the outstanding Perth half-back was McCall, who not only played hard in defence, but went forward to urge on his attack and to try a shot.
Dickie, the former Aberdeen player, was a hard-working left half.
Most of the forwards seemed afraid to shoot. Beattie tried hard, and Tennant on the right was prominent at times, but lacked initiative.
Adam and Black were hard-working inside forwards, although they could make little impression on the Dons' defence, and Nicholson on the extreme left was seldom in the picture.

Source: Press & Journal, 30th March 1936