Alloa Athletic 0 - 3 Aberdeen

The Dons won because they grasped their chances. If points had been awarded for territorial advantage Alloa would have won handsomely, but goals count, and in this all-important matter the Recreation Park Club were sadly lacking.

Aberdeen were by no means brilliant. In the first half they were almost entirely on the defensive. The fact that they kept their goal intact during this period is an indictment against the Alloa forwards rather than any credit to the play of the Dons.
How decisive was Alloa's advantage may be judged from the fact that it as not until the opening minutes of the second half that Culley, the home 'keeper, made his first direct save.
Johnstone, on the other hand, had plenty to do, but he had few shots of a difficult nature with which to deal.
There was an improvement in the Dons' play after the interval and in five minutes they took the lead. Christie sent Smith away on the right and Taylor drove the winger's cross into the net as he was tackled by Hamilton.
The two other goals came in the closing ten minutes. Williams was responsible for the first, He met a low cross from Taylor first time to give Culley no chance. Taylor got the other when he diverted a try by Smith into the net.

Waddell a Star

Personality No. 1 in the Aberdeen team was Waddell. The centre-half gave a grand display. Cool in the tightest corner, he always seemed to be on the right spot at the right time. Johnstone distinguished himself in goal, and Cooper was a steady and reliable left-back.
The forwards were moderate. Smith showed speed and cunning, but was badly supported, and Taylor was the only other member of the line worthy of mention.
Alloa were well served in defence by at Hamilton and Ferguson. Gillan was the best of the forwards, but like the others his fishing, to say the least of it, was erratic.

Source: Press & Journal, 30th October 1939