Aberdeen 4 - 0 Highland League Select

By NORMAN MACDONALD

ABERDEEN beat the Highland League Select 4-0 in the first of the Caledonia Trophy matches at Pittodrie yesterday evening. The result does not give the men from the north the credit they deserve for a very plucky display.

The Dons led by a single goal at the interval. With a little luck and more steadiness at close quarters the Highlanders could have led by 3-1.
After the interval Aberdeen were undoubtedly the better team and this in spite of the fact that they lost the services of McKenna through injury thirteen minutes after the restart.
Experience and superior training told. The 9000 spectators were generous in their appreciation of the play of the Select in the first half. The north lads played with dash and determination.
The Highland team was certainly out of luck when a terrific drive by Ferguson from a short pass from Meldrum struck the post with Johnstone beaten.

McLaughlin Scores

The Dons went ahead in eighteen minutes against the run of play. When Baird thrust the ball up the middle Kelly flicked it on to McLaughlin, and the left winger beat Wiesnewski.
Aberdeen's goal had another narrow escape when the diminutive Meldrum on the Highland left, finished a good run by crossing the ball. Cameron edged it out to Day, and the winger hit a powerful shot. Johnstone pushed the ball on to the bar and when it dropped the Dons were lucky to scramble it away.
When the second half started McKenna was on the left with McLaughlin at half back and Taylor at back. In four minutes McKenna headed the ball into the middle and Kelly headed into the net.
A foolish pass back by Mathers led to Aberdeen's third goal in thirteen minutes. The North 'keeper left his charge and as the ball bounced McKenna headed into the empty goal. Immediately afterwards McKenna was carried from the field.
Fifteen minutes from the end a mix-up in the Highland League goalmouth ended in Kelly getting the Dons' fourth goal.

Source: press & Journal, 22nd April 1948