Aberdeen 1 - 0 East Fife

Aberdeen and Dundee United meet in the final of the North-Eastern League Cup competition. The Dons beat East Fife in the second of the home-and-home semi-final games at Pittodrie by the only goal of the match, which gave them a 2-1 margin over the two games. By drawing at Ibrox, Dundee United triumphed by the odd goal in seven over the two matches. Some 10,000 spectators at Pittodrie must have been disappointed by the display of both teams. The Fifers' tactics prevented Aberdeen from settling down, but the Dons ought to have done better with the team on duty. The home half-back line did not function satisfactorily. An injury to Dunlop was a handicap, but there was too big a gap between the middle and forward divisions, and attacks were not developed as well and as often as they should have been.

LUCKY TO WIN

The Dons were fortunate to get through, and will have to play better in the final. Johnstone in the home goal was reliable. Cooper outshone Beattie of Preston, who was never happy against Adams, the East Fife outside right. Outstanding player in the Aberdeen team was Howe, of Derby County, most constructive half on the field. He scored the all-important goal - a beautiful effort, which gave Niven, the visiting keeper, no chance. Honours forward went to Pattillo and Dickie. The former got poor support from Dryden. Pattillo was always dangerous on the right, but Gourlay, the young Partick player, did not come up to expectations. Arthur Milne at Centre was a trifle disappointing. East Fife did not deserve to be defeated. Their best men were Niven, Miller, Smellie, Sneddon, Adams, and P. Simpson.

It is not known yet whether the final will be on the home-and-home principle. It will depend on the decision come to by the Southern League clubs this week in connection with the Scottish Summer Cup. Drury, the Arsenal player, will not be available for Aberdeen in future. He has left the district.

Source: Press & Journal, 11th May 1942