Aberdeen 3 - 0 Berwick Rangers

Aberdeen have never played today's visitors, Stranraer, in the Scottish Cup. They played Stranraer earlier this season in the League Cup and several times in the 1940s and 1950s they played Queen of the South in the same tourna-ment. The Dons did play the third team from the southern outposts of Scottish football, Berwick Rangers, in the Scottish Cup in 1969.

Jim Forrest must have thought that revenge was sweet. Playing in his first game in the Scottish Cup since Rangers were sensationally beaten TO by Berwick two years previously, the former Ranger scored twice for Aberdeen. 13,600 were at Pittodrie to see former Don, Doug Coutts, lead out the visitors. The Dons were determined to utilise Forrest's speed and twice in the early stages Jimmy Smith sent the winger clear but he failed to capitalise. From a Jim Whyte cross Dave Robb outjumped both Coutts and goalkeeper Wallace (future manager of Glasgow Rangers) only for Patterson to clear off the line. The visitors were defending stubbornly and were content to concede free kicks. A great shot by Martin Buchan was deflected by Coutts for a fruitless corner and an offside decision against Dave Johnston saved the visitors as Aberdeen piled on the pressure.
Smith seemed to be "in the mood" but, although he was orchestrating moves skilfully, few shots were raining in on the Berwick goalmouth. In a sudden breakaway Dowds sent a shot whistling narrowly past. Robb headed wide from a Tommy Craig cross as Patterson and Smith defended desperately. Berwick realised the danger of Jimmy Smith's promptings and he became a marked man. Wallace had difficulty in saving a Buchan lob and then Jens Petersen smashed a 25 yard shot against the post. At last the home team scored in 36 minutes, when Smith, Buchan and Whyte combined to let Forrest in to score from 16 yards. Just on half-time Forrest nearly shattered the crossbar with a fierce shot.

Aberdeen resumed with Forrest at centre forward and Johnston on the wing. A fast, low cross from Whyte was almost deflected into his own goal by Gilchrist. Smith then manoeuvred for a shot, which went just wide. From a Gilchrist throw-in Jones forced Henning Boel to concede a corner. Ernie McGarr missed the resultant flag kick but Forrest cleared. The Dons were soon on the offensive again and Wallace saved well from Whyte and Johnston. Next Forrest had a great opportunity to seal victory but he sliced the ball wide. Berwick had a short burst of pressure but they found Boel, Petersen and Ally Shewan most uncompromising.
The fans were becoming restless at Aberdeen's lack of goals despite their territorial supremacy. Eventually a second goal arrived in 73 minutes when Robb swept the ball into the net after Smith and Forrest both had shots blocked. Immediately after this Johnston sent the ball over the bar from close in. The scoring was completed in 82 minutes when great play by Smith enabled Forrest to net his second goal. Forrest then left the field, to be replaced bv Ian Taylor.

Source: Match Programme, 28th January 1995