Aberdeen 3 - 0 Hamilton

Sparkle Returns to Play

ARMSTRONG NETS TWICE

Aberdeen scored a decisive victory over Hamilton at Pittodrie on Saturday. The Dons' play was more in keeping with their high position in the League than was the case against Clyde, and they were never fully stretched.

The League leaders held decided territorial advantage, and only the desperate tactics adopted by the Hamilton defence, combined with an occasional lack of incisiveness on the part of the home forwards, prevented them finishing with a more substantial margin.

Brilliant Football

This was the only fault that could be found with a well-balanced Aberdeen attack, which at times played brilliant football. There was a slickness and buoyancy about the play of the forwards which was lacking the previous week. The play of the half-backs and backs, too, had an air of confidence.
Although little was seen of the Hamilton attack except for sporadic bursts, it took Aberdeen thirty-three minutes to open their account. The goal came as a result of Scott fouling Warnock. Fraser placed the free-kick accurately, and Armstrong must have leaped fully three feet in the air to head the ball down and into the net.
The second goal came twelve minutes after the start of the second half. Strauss broke through on the left, and although Armstrong only partially got his head to the cross the ball glanced off Scott into the net.

Strauss's Counter

With thirty minutes gone Strauss took the Hamilton defence completely by surprise by scoring a third goal. The visitors were attacking when Steve Smith gained possession and booted the ball upfield. The South African raced into the middle after the ball, staved off a challenge by Wallace, and gave Morgan no chance to save. It was a characteristic Strauss effort.
Smith. Cooper, and McGill had a comparatively quiet afternoon, but were more impressive than in recent matches. The backs tackled and kicked strongly, and Smith cleared his lines smartly.
The absence of Falloon had caused a rearrangement of the half-back line, but Saturday's formation gave quite a satisfactory display. One game, however, is not enough for one to get a true estimate of their worth.

Thomson Does Well

Thomson filled the role of defensive pivot with credit, giving Wilson, the opposing centre, little scope. Fraser showed a big improvement on recent form and was a valuable attacking half. Dunlop tackled soundly, but could improve his constructive work.
Mills was the star in attack, and was the brain behind many of Aberdeen's best movements. He kept play open with his long, accurate passes. Armstrong was a lively leader and proved too elusive for Thomson. He distributed play smartly and took his first goal skilfully.
Although McKenzie did not always part to best advantage, he was strong and forceful at times, while his partner, Warnock, was always a source of danger. The extreme winger was opposed to a robust defender in Scott, but more than held his own. The winger's only weakness lay in his finishing.
Strauss was a daring left winger, but was closely watched by Wallace.

Good Hamilton Defence

Hamilton did not impress, and have their defence to thank in no small measure that they did not receive a bigger beating. They were weak at half-back and the attack, which suffered from lack of support, did not strike happy combination.
Morgan kept a good goal and was in no way to blame for his side's defeat while Wallace at right-back put up a splendid display.

Source: Press & Journal, 30th November 1936