Raith Rovers 2 - 1 Aberdeen

THE Dons meet Rangers in the semi-final of the Supplementary Cup competition. They lost at Kirkcaldy by the odd goal in three, but qualified for the penultimate stage with an aggregate of 7-3 over the two games.

One thing is certain. The Dons will have to play much better at Ibrox than they did at Stark's Park if they are even to hold their own with Rangers. In Saturday's game the Dons were not a good team, but they were better than the Rovers notwithstanding their defeat.
There was a lack of balance in all departments. The middle division was not the bulwark that it has been, and the forward line was ragged and unbalanced, lacking a player with real initiative.
It is significant that in both games, at Pittodrie and Stark's Park, the Rovers scored first, and at a period when the Dons were in the ascendancy. Slackness in defence was responsible for this on each occasion.
Johnstone was confident in the Aberdeen goal. Ancell was the best back afield, although Cooper struck his form in the second half. None of the half-backs came up to expectations. Both Dunlop and Collier were faulty in their passing, and Thomson was inclined to leave too big a gap in the middle.
There was not a better forward on view than Green. He worked hard throughout, and was unlucky in shooting. Pattillo kept Low fully occupied, and did some good work on the left.
Bruce goal saved the Rovers on many occasions, but he should have cut out the ball when Pattillo headed Aberdeen's only goal. Newman, Dutch, Stewart and Heywood were best of the others.

Source: Press & Journal, 6th December 1943