Aberdeen 1 - 0 St. Johnstone

THE YOUNG DONS made an encouraging start to the season with a 1-0 win over St. Johnstone A. There's still a lot of hard work to be done but I am confident that the lads will achieve far better results than last season.
The only disappointment from Saturday's game was the injury to Jimmy Miller who has a cracked fracture of a foot bone and will be on the sidelines for a spell. Curiously enough, the injury was not the result of a tackle - Jimmy says he felt the sudden pain as he was running. One of our big handicaps last season was a lack of experience and George Murray made a big difference at centre half with a sound, confidence-inspiring display. John Craig, who has skippered the side in their first two outings of the season, has been moved into midfield after being one of the team's consistent successes at left back last term. It is now felt that the skilful John can be of more value as a link man. Billy Williamson, an enterprising right back - he was once a top scoring attacker in Dumfries-shire amateur football - gave one of his best displays for a long time against St. Johnstone A. Ian Purdie, who had scored both goals against the Junior Select in midweek, was unavailable for the Saturday match due to suspension and, in fact, injury.
John McMaster, who has filled out a bit since the end of last season, gave a promising display on the left wing. The match-winning goal was netted by Willie Miller who scored quite a few goals for Peterhead in the Highland League last season. We're looking for him to add punch to the young Dons' attack and with a little sharpening up he should be a regular marksman.

Source: Match Programme, 16th August 1972