Aberdeen 2 - 1 East Fife

There have been many great struggles between Aberdeen and East Fife since the North Eastern League was started, but Saturday's meeting in the first round of the Mitchell Cup competition at Pittodrie will long be remembered.

At the end of ninety minutes Aberdeen led by 2-1. This put the teams even in goals over the two games. In the extra half-hour's play each team again scored once, but the Dons qualified by the only corner registered in the extra time. The Dons, however, should have had the tie won in the first three-quarters of an hour. During that period they were vastly superior, but later their play deteriorated to such an extent that East Fife held the upper hand. In the extra period both teams were tired, and Aberdeen played under the handicap of having both Miller and Williams injured.
The Dons were weak where they were expected to be strong - at inside forward. There was not much improvement either when Armstrong, Williams and Baird switched places. The defence was fairly reliable, but was definitely slack when Duncan scored his second goal. The outstanding player in the home team was Cruickshank. It was easily his best game since he got a regular place in the team.
The Fifers won admiration for the great fight they put up. They were a team of triers, and in Black they have a young forward of great promise.

Over the two games the result was: Aberdeen, 4 goals, 1 corner; East Fife, 4 goals.

Source: Press & Journal, 28th May 1945