Partick Thistle 3 - 1 Aberdeen

CLEVER, BUT LACK THRUST

McKENNAN SHINES FOR PARTICK

Partick Thistle deserved their victory over Aberdeen at Firhill on Saturday. They were sounder in defence, and more direct and thrustful in attack. The Dons were most disappointing, particularly in view of the fact that they got off to a good start and took the lead in twelve minutes.

From this period, however, Thistle took and held the initiative until the interval. In contrast to Aberdeen, the home team set about their task in workmanlike fashion. Forwards and wing half backs kept play open and pushed home the attack.
They were worth their two goals to one lead at half-time, despite the fact that the Dons claimed that Alston was offside when he crossed the ball from which the first goal was scored.

ATTACK OVER-ELABORATE,/p> After the interval Aberdeen held a territorial advantage, but all their work came to nothing because of their penchant for over-elaboration. Had the forwards cut out the frills and favoured the direct methods their opponents they would have caused the Firhill defence much more trouble and anxiety.
The defence has come in for most of the blame in connection with Aberdeen's failures this season, and there is no denying that this department requires strengthening, but it was the attack that was mainly at fault on Saturday. At close quarters the forwards showed a complete lack of enterprise and thrust.
Aberdeen's opening play held promise of victory, and when they took the lead in twelve minutes this idea was strengthened. The raid which led to the goal was carried out smartly. McKenzie took advantage of an accurate pass from Brady to test Johnston. The 'keeper could only push the ball down, and Mills followed up to send into the net.

PARTICK'S FIRST GOAL

This reverse put the Thistle on their mettle, and within four minutes they were on level terms. McKennan sent the ball ahead to Alston, and the winger, in a suspiciously offside position, gathered it and crossed for Wallace to head into the net.
With twenty-two minutes gone the homesters took the lead. Again McKennan did the spade work. He gave Thomson the "dummy" and ran on to cross a fast ball. Nicholson and Wallace rose for it together, but the Thistle centre succeeded in glancing the ball off his head into the net.
The issue was decided after thirty-six minutes' play, when Partick got their third goal. Thomson, instead of clearing, sent the ball across his own goalmouth, and McKennan fastened on to find the net off the post.
Although the Aberdeen defence was less to blame for the defeat than the attack, it was by no means inspired under pressure. Johnstone was not at fault for any of the goals, and Cooper played soundly enough to prevent Picken threatening much danger. McGill positioned himself cleverly, but with Thomson below form and the Alston-McKennan wing playing well, the left back was overworked.
Nicholson was sound if not brilliant at centre half. He is a strong, forceful player, and will improve as he gains experience of Scottish football. Fraser was the better wing half, but he has been more effective in attack. Thomson had a bad game. He met his master in McKennan, and completely failed to get a grip of the inside right.
None of the Aberdeen forwards would have won any medals for their marksmanship. Mills and Brady were the poorest of the line. The inside left, apart from scoring the goal, was never in the picture.

STRAUSS DANGEROUS

Brady was no better. There was no denying his keenness, but he lacked guile, and was too often out of position. Strauss, although opposed to a good back in Curran. was dangerous, and with better support might have done some damage.
Armstrong worked hard, but found it difficult to elude the tenacious Sutherland, while McKenzie, although clever on the ball, did not possess the strength to break through the Partick defence.
McKennan. the Thistle inside right, was the outstanding player afield. He played a leading part in the first two goals, and himself scored the third. He was a clever and virile inside forward, and was the most dangerous player among the ten forwards.
Partick's defence played strongly throughout. Johnston in goal was sound in all he did. and Curran was the more prominent of two robust backs. Sutherland was a stalwart in defence, but the outstanding half-back was Douglas, who was equally effective in defence and attack.
Thanks in no small measure to the splendid support he received from McKennan. Alston was a dangerous winger. Wallace was not a brilliant leader, but he seized his chances.

Source: Press & Journal, 27th December 1937