Aberdeen 8 - 1 Third Lanark

After two convincing away wins by the young Dons it was not surprising that a good crowd turned out last Friday night to see their game against Third Lanark Reserves. The Glasgow lads were well beaten,but must be given credit for trying to play good football all the time. They were up against an Aberdeen team that played the brand of football that will always pay dividends - fast, clean, clever, and full of thrust. The young Dons got eight goals - and every goal was a good one, well worked for. Ray Botha and Archie Kelly had each a hat-trick, and this brought Archie's total to seven goals in the last three games.

Aberdeen "A" are at Ayr this afternoon to meet Morton Reserves, and if the young Dons can continue their run of success they are practically certain to qualify for the next stage of the Reserve League Cup. They must not make the mistake of taking the opposition too lightly, but will undoubtedly take the field with that confidence that is such as asset to any team - a confidence that only comes with continued success. If they produce the brand of football seen at Pittodrie last Friday they should not be behind at the finish.

Source: Match Programme, 25th September 1948

An interested spectator at the Reserve League Cup game at Pittodrie last night was Mr Jack Bruton, manager of Blackburn Rovers. He took a fancy to two of the Aberdeen forwards, but when he approached Mr David Halliday, the Aberdeen manager, the reply was "No."

Goals were off the ration at Pittodrie last night. The Young Dons were right on the mark. Kelly and Botha were the men who found the range. They were each on the mark three times, Baird and Smith completed the scoring.

Aberdeen reserves were a confident team. From defence outwards they were a confident team. Kelly started the goal-scoring riot in 24 minutes. He picked up a pass from Anderson, shook off a challenge from Cameron, and beat the Cathkin 'keeper with a well-directed shot. In 36 minutes the Aberdeen "A" team were well on the way to success, Kelly brought down a cross from Millar and in one movement beat Fraser. Just on half-time a neat through pass by Smith enabled Botha to make the home total three.

Aberdeen carried on the good work three minutes after the restart, Botha took full advantage of a cross from Kelly to score. Within eight minutes Kelly dashed through to beat the Glasgow 'keeper again and a minute later Baird headed home a corner from Botha.
Smith, who was an energetic forward throughout, beat Fraser in a race for the ball to make the home total seven, Botha scored the eighth. Third Lanark who had never given up the fight, got a crumb of comfort when Bogan netted.

Source: Press & Journal, 18th September 1948