Dundee 0 - 1 Aberdeen

ATTACK FINDS OPEN TACTICS PAY

NICHOLSON SUBDUES DUNDEE CENTRE

Aberdeen were deserving winners the Northern "Derby" at Dens Park, Dundee, on Saturday. It was keenly contested match and the issue was always in doubt until the finish.
The Dons chief advantage lay in attack. Their forwards showed more understanding, and as result were more dangerous at close quarters. The Aberdeen team, as a whole, was considerably improved compared with the form displayed against Partick Thistle the previous week.

MILLS'S GOAL

The winning goal was long delayed. It came nineteen minutes from the end. A corner on the right was well placed by Brady and McKenzie nodded the ball out to the left for Mills to head into the net.
Although Aberdeen scored only once they had the ball in the net four times twice in each half. Strauss beat Lynch, the Dundee 'keeper, after Armstrong had caused him to drop a cross from McKenzie, but the referee disallowed the point on account of the centre fouling the 'keeper.
Immediately following this Brady raced through to find the net from a slip by McKenzie, but the whistle went for offside. Dundee's most threatening movement during this period came-when Johnstone left his charge to scoop away a cross from Kirby. Before the 'keeper could return Baxter lobbed the ball goalwards and Nicholson cleared on the goal-line.
A Strauss-Armstrong-McKenzie movement early in the second half almost brought a goal, the whistle going for offside as a terrific shot by the inside-right struck the crossbar.
After the Dons had taken the lead in the twenty-sixth minute Dundee crowded on all sail in an effort to equalise, but although they were dangerous their own goal came nearer falling than did that of Aberdeen.
Brady beat Lynch only to have the point disallowed for offside, and near the close the Dark Blues goal had a very lucky escape. Brady cleverly beat Richards and sent the ball through to McKenzie. The inside-right gathered it and his shot beat the 'keeper, hit the inside of the upright and rebounded into play.
It was a typical derby game, quarter being neither asked nor given. The best football was seen the first period, but keen were the exchanges that interest was maintained until the finish.

SMART FORWARDS

The Aberdeen attack was scarcely recognisable as the same as did duty at Firhill the previous week. The forwards played good football, but they did not make the mistake of playing too closely. The result was that they set the opposing defence difficult problem and were much more dangerous.
The Dons' defence was sound. Nicholson and Cooper were outstanding. The tall centre-half was the rock on which most of the Dundee attacks perished. He was faced with lively leader in Coats, but was unbeatable with the ball in the air, and although he was not so confident when it was on the ground; he gave nothing away.
Cooper not only tackled soundly, but his kicking was clean and accurate and he gave the speedy Kirby few chances to shine. McGill was not so successful against Boyd, but played hard.
Fraser was a good wing half, combining defence and attack with splendid judgment. Thomson is still short his best form and was rarely seen in an attacking capacity.
Armstrong and McKenzie were the bright lights in the forward line. The inside-right has seldom been seen to better advantage, was smart on the ball, combined well with Brady and, unusual for him. was the Dons most consistent shot.
Armstrong led the line skilfully, and this despite the fact that Evans followed him closely. The centre's clever distribution played a big part in the success of the van.

STRAUSS INJURED

Mills was again disappointing, although he must be given credit for scoring the all-important goal. Brady showed smart touches on the extreme right, but was too often out of position. Strauss was dangerous until he received a leg injury in the second half.
Dundee's defence played soundly, although it was inclined to wilt under pressure. Lynch's handling did not inspire confidence. Richards was the better back. Evans, at centre-half, was stout defender. Laurie and Smith, the wing-halves, were effective in defence and enterprising in attack.
The forward line lacked cohesion. Coats led the line well and had received better support from the inside men would have been very dangerous. The only other forward of note was Boyd, who had speed and a good shot. McMenemy and Baxter shone occasionally, but were not consistent. .

Source: Press & Journal, 3rd January 1938