Aberdeen 1 - 1 Queens Park

EQUALISER LATE IN GAME

FORWARDS NEVER IMPRESS

Defeat for Aberdeen seemed certain in their match with Queen's Park at Pittodrie on Saturday when, five minutes from the end, Mills scored the equalising goal.

The Dons were a trifle lucky to get a point. The team as a whole did not impress, and had the Amateurs instilled a greater degree of accuracy into their finishing they would have triumphed.
After their victory over Hamilton the previous week hopes had been entertained of an Aberdeen revival, but these were dissipated on Saturday. The Dons' display served to emphasise the fact that the team requires strengthening, and until this is done results will continue to be of an erratic nature.

POOR FARE

The fare provided was much below the standard expected of two teams of First Division standard. There were no goals in the opening period, and the football was of a haphazard nature. The keen tackling of the Queen's Park defenders prevented the Aberdeen forwards playing constructive football.
The visitors were the more purposeful side, and seemed instil more zest and spirit into their play than did the homesters. Fifteen minutes after the start of the second half Queen's Park took the lead. Kyle nipped in to force a corner off Johnstone when a pass back by Thomson failed to reach the keeper, and Martin headed home Kinghorn's well placed flag kick.
On several occasions only bad marksmanship prevented the Amateurs increasing their lead. Kyle and Martin both missed reasonable scoring chances, and the inside right was most unfortunate with a powerful drive which struck the crossbar.
The Aberdeen forwards threatened little real danger, and hopes of a draw had almost been abandoned when Mills snatched the equaliser. White left his charge to cut out a cross from Brady, but failed to hold the ball, and before he could return to his goal Fraser scrambled the ball out to Mills, who sent into the net.

McGILL'S LACK OF SPEED

The Dons' defence was not impressive under pressure. Johnstone was not to blame for the goal and handled confidently. Cooper was the better back. His tackling was strong and his kicking lusty, and he gave Duncan little scope. McGill was not successful against Kinghorn. He found his lack of speed a handicap against the fast-moving winger.
Fraser was the most successful halfback. He did a lot of useful work in defence and tried hard to get the forward line moving smoothly. It is doubtful if Thomson is going to solve the Dons' centre-half problem. He worked hard on Saturday, but there were occasions when he appeared to lack confidence.
Dunlop could not subdue Christie, and played much below form.

FORWARDS DISAPPOINT

The forwards, both individually and collectively, were disappointing. Brady, who came in on the right for Warnock. was a trier and got across some good balls, but he was too inclined to wander out of position. There was no smarter ball manipulator on the field than McKenzie, but much of his work went for nothing because of his weak shooting.
Armstrong never settled to his usual game, and was slow to bring the ball under control when it came to him. He rarely threatened danger. Although at times Mills distributed the ball cleverly, his play lacked ?devil." and Smith, although he was plucky and eager, got little scope.
The Queen's Park defenders went into their work with rare abandon. White's judgment was at fault when Aberdeen equalised, but otherwise he played well. Gordon and Dickson were a robust pair of backs, while Hosie was the outstanding middleman, combining defence and attack judiciously.
The honours in attack went to Kinghorn, Christie and Kyle. The winger was fast and dangerous, while Christie, a small but solidly-built player, got through a tremendous amount of work. Kyle was strong and forceful.

Source: Press & Journal, 29th November 1937