Stenhousemuir 0 - 0 Aberdeen

Against Stenhousemuir at Ochilview on Saturday the Dons were but a shadow of the side that defeated f Motherwell in the Second XI Cup competition the previous evening at Fir Park.

Gone was the pep and punch. They played like a tired team. Stenhousemuir were little better. They certainly were more active than the Dons, but the finishing of their forwards was poor indeed.
At the same time they might well have pulled off a victory in the closing ten minutes but for the brilliance of Johnstone in the Aberdeen goal.
He made two brilliant saves, the first from Buchan and the second from Mauchline.

FORWARDS OUT OF GEAR

The Aberdeen defence played well, but the forwards were a poor lot. Faulty passing was prevalent throughout, and it was seldom indeed that the line worked with cohesion and thrust.
Johnstone in the Dons' goal gets full marks and Taylor, who was at outside left against Motherwell, deserves credit for his sound display at left back. Graham also played well.
George Thomson, who deputised for Waddell at centre-half, got through a terrific amount of work, but neither Scott nor Jock Thomson were particularly effective at wing half. None of the forwards enhanced their reputation.

ABERDEEN CHANGE

Stewart was a good back for Stenhousemuir, and McGeachie was the best wing half-back afield. The right half showed himself to be a strong, forcing player. Buchan was the best of the Stenhousemuir attack, although Mauchline on the left, showed some smart touches.
In the second half of the game Aberdeen changed their attack. Christie moved over to the left wing, and Williams went to inside right with Bain on the wing. This did make for some improvement in the play of the forwards.

Source: Press & Journal, 6th May 1940