Rangers 1 - 1 Aberdeen

Aberdeen F.C. took a big step towards winning the North-Eastern League Cup on Saturday when they ousted Rangers at Ibrox Park. A hard game finished in a draw, but the Dons got through as a result of their 3-0 win at Pittodrie the previous week. They will face Dundee United in the final. The Tannadice Park team started the second game at Methil with a single goal lead, and were a trifle lucky to hold East Fife to a 1-1 draw. Probably the final, like the previous rounds will be played on the home and home principle, but a definite decision will not be made until this afternoon's meeting of the League Committee. Aberdeen did well to draw at Ibrox, but they might well have won had the forwards been more enterprising in their finishing.

Gallant Defence

The Light Blues played the better football in the first half, and the bulk of the work fell on the Pittodrie defence, who stood up manfully to their work. One goal each at the interval, it looked as if the Dons would have a tough time in the second half. But the Aberdeen forwards developed into a cohesive force, and it was the Ibrox defence that had to roll up their sleeves. It was then that the lack of "bite" in the Pittodrie attack became more obvious. It would have been a "perfect" semi-final if the Dons had succeeded in beating Rangers home and away. The Dons scored first, Hamilton beating Jenkins with a header from a free kick by Lyon. With twelve minutes played the Light Blues got the equaliser. Smith was brought down just outside the penalty area. Bolt's free kick struck the solid line of Aberdeen players and Williamson was on the ball like a flash to beat Johnstone.
Apart from this goal - and it might have been prevented had Johnstone not slipped at the crucial moment - the Aberdeen defence gets full marks. The backs were sound. Dyer is improving with every game. The Dons' greatest advantage, however, lay with their half-backs. Lyon was a tower of strength and both Dunlop and Taylor played with rare determination. If the forwards find their shooting boots in the final the Dons will be the first club to win the North-Eastern league Cup. McCall was undoubtedly the best forward on Saturday. He was the "brains" of the attack.

Source: The Press & Journal 8th December 1941