Aberdeen 4 - 0 Heart of Midlothian

STRAUSS THE MATCHWINNER

It was a confident and buoyant Aberdeen team that scored a decisive victory over Hearts at Pittodrie. This was the Dons' last appearance of the season on their own ground, and their supporters must have derived considerable satisfaction from seeing a good job well done.
Aberdeen, alone of the First Division teams, are unbeaten at home, having dropped only four points on their own ground. Hibs, Third Lanark, Queen of the South, and Rangers are the only teams who have escaped defeat at Pittodrie.

CUP CHANCES.

By their display against Hearts the Dons did much to strengthen a growing impression that they will make history in the Scottish Cup competition. Not only did they play with cleverness and understanding, but there was a directness and thrust about their finishing which has not always been in evidence this season. A repetition of this form should see them safely over the Morton hurdle at Easter Road this week.
Hearts will not forget Strauss in hurry. Their defence never succeeded in subduing the speedy and elusive South African. Not even the moving of internationalist Anderson to left back in the second half proved effective.
The fact that he had been transferred to the right wing to take the place of the injured Beynon in no way cramped Strauss' style. He was in his brightest and most dangerous mood. He made his presence felt by scoring in one minute and repeated the performance in the last minute. In between he gave the Hearts' defence no end of trouble, and played a big part in the other two goals.

EARLY ATTACK

The Edinburgh side had no time to settle down before Strauss gathered an Armstrong pass and crashed the ball into the net. In fifteen minutes the visitors suffered another reverse. Cooper takes a good deal of credit for the second goal. The right back carried the ball downfield before neatly parting to Strauss. The South African crossed a good ball, and Armstrong netted from close range.
Twelve minutes later, clever work by Scott saw Strauss break clear on the right and centre for Armstrong to first-time the ball past Waugh.
The first half was Aberdeen's best period. After the interval some of the snap seemed to have departed from their play. Hearts were seen more often in the role of attackers but their close style of play proved of no avail against a confident Aberdeen defence.
In the last minute Strauss dashed through the Hearts' defence on his own to cap a splendid afternoon's display with a grand fourth goal.

SOUND DEFENCE

No fault could be found with the Aberdeen defence on Saturday's form. Johnstone did what he had to do confidently and expeditiously, while he received excellent protection from Cooper, Temple and Falloon.
Temple is improving with every game, and he is becoming more resourceful with his clearances. Falloon "policed" Pope effectively, and played no small part in breaking up the Hearts' attacks. Thomson worked hard and successfully at left half. He shadowed Walker closely and yet found time to purvey to his forwards. Dunlop, on the other flank, worked hard and played a sound game.
Armstrong was a dashing leader, but considering the excellent support he received he should have scored more than twice. There were at least three other good scoring chances which he failed to accept. Clever on the ball and clever spreading play, Mills was always prominent in the first half, but after the interval his play deteriorated somewhat.
Aberdeen have captured a promising player in George Scott. He has all the attributes that go to the making of a first-class inside forward, and will prove a big success once he has been speeded up a little. Lang, on the extreme left, played well in the second half. He has a good turn of speed and crosses a dangerous ball, and would be a very valuable player indeed were he more wholehearted in the tackle.
Hearts were not seen at their best. There were eleven individuals and the attack worked well as a line at times.
Waugh, Anderson and Herd had a busy afternoon, and failed to cope with the Aberdeen attack. Dykes at centre half worked hard to stem the tide, and was ably assisted by Harvey.
Warren and Murray, on the left, were most dangerous in attack, and although Walker showed clever touches he was too well watched to be effective.

Source: Press & Journal, 29th March 1937