Aberdeen 3 - 1 Dunfermline Athletic

THE YOUNG DONS at last opened their 1972 winning account last Saturday against Dunfermline, showing a big improvement on their form the previous week at Ibrox. A late goal by Ian Purdie made the 3-1 scoreline more a true reflection of the play for we should have won this game handsomely. The lads are creating chances, but missing far too many and they had a tendency to fall out of the game for spells. It happened against the Fifers in the second half. We allowed them to get one back after a cracking 25-yarder by Jimmy Miller and an opportunist goal by Joe Smith had put the Young Dons well in command against the team who eliminated them from the Second XI. Cup not so long ago.
Henning Boel was a late withdrawal with a tummy upset and Tommy McMillan took the field although feeling under par. He played very steadily under the circumstances. With Andy Geoghegan on first-team duty, we had to call in another trialist goalkeeper. We are grateful to the local junior officials for their co-operation in arranging for Jimmy Walker of Rosemount to help us out. He did very well. Incidentally, another man called in at the last minute was area referee supervisor Mr. H. B. Sturgeon. Borrowing Jimmy Bonthrone's tracksuit and Ian Purdie's spare pair of boots, Mr. Sturgeon performed the duties of linesman in the absence of another official.
I thought the Reserves' biggest failing was in running 20 yards with the ball and then passing it only 10. They must make the ball do the work. John Craig had another excellent game at left back and also when he switched positions for a while with link man Chic McLelland. Tommy Wilson looked happier on his return to the back four, but, on the other hand Jimmy Smith, who had been shaping well as sweeper, did not hit his best form on reverting to a midfield role. Joe Smith had quite a good game at centre laying off the ball cleverly. We're working hard to sharpen up Joe. If he can add that extra yard of pace to his ability, he will start going places.

Source: Match Programme, 29th January