Aberdeen 2 - 1 Montrose

The postponement of the young Dons' Premier Reserve League fixture last Saturday, when they were due to face Dunfermline at East End Park, lent added significance to the East Reserve League visit of Montrose to Pittodrie two days later.
In the circumstances, both clubs understandably took advantage of the occasion to include first-team squad members in their line-ups. The result was an interesting contest with lots of open, attacking football, ending in a 2-1 victory for Aberdeen.
Although all three goals came in the first half, the second period was a fast and furious, end-to-end affair with Montrose making a large enough contribution to the excitement to be worthy of a share of the spoils.
Apart from claiming both points, probably the most encouraging featur from the Pittodrie club's point of view was the successful comeback from injury of both Peter Van De Ven (a recent hamstring absentee) and Andy Gibson (out since early November with a broken foot bone).
Each of these players capped a more than satisfactory return to action with a goal, but their respective performances were no more impressive than that of youngster Colin MacRonald.
The youth cap figured in the build-up to both Aberdeen goals in a fine overall display which demonstrated his ability to operate in a variety of midfield and outright attacking roles on the left side.
For new Montrose manager Jim Leishman, this was a welcome opportunity to widen his knowledge of the Links Park playing staff in an atmosphere slightly less tense than that of a First Division relegation encounter.
It was also an interesting return to Pittodrie for former Don John McGachie. Just back from suspension, McGachie was booked for a challenge on Michael Watt early in the game, but later made amends by scoring the visitors' only goal, netting the rebound after Watt had parried a shot.
The Aberdeen keeper's bad luck on this occasion did not detract from a good performance in what was his first East Reserve League appearance of the season.

Source: Match Programme, Saturday 8th February 1992