Aberdeen 0 - 2 Dundee United

We suffered our third league defeat in a row when we were beaten by two goals to nil by Dundee United Reserves. Having beaten the visitors four times this season and not lost a goal, it should have been no problem for us to beat them once more. As it was we had a bad day, with few of our players playing to form. The goals we lost were defensive mistakes, which were the only chances that the visitors had.
The first goal came when Alec McLeish, attempting to clear his lines, could only knock the ball into the path of Bourke the United No. 11, who beat John Gardiner in a race for the ball to knock it into the net. Their second goal came in the dying minutes, when a cross from the right wing was headed in by the tall Bourke.
Very little constructive football was played by either team. Our lads seemed too eager to get the ball upfield, when a little bit of calmness would have paid dividends. But in saying that, we have a very young team and they will only learn by gaining experience by playing in the Reserve team.

The boys who played on Saturday were:

John Gardiner (20)our goalkeeper had very little to do, although he seemed to be a little slow in getting down for the second goal.

Dougie Brown (19) had a sound game although at times he could use the ball more to advantage.

Neil Burke (16) playing his first game for us showed considerable talent for one so young, and seems to have a bright future.

Doug Rougvie (22) did his usual hard work but his distribution wasn't so good.

Alec McLeish (19) had a steady game although he was troubled at times by Dundee United's expensive signing, Bourke, in the air.

Neil Cooper (19) Neil's defensive work was good but like some of the other players he seemed content to clear his lines.

Andy Dornan (16) has only played four games for us and has been showing good progress. Andy still lacks a bit of confidence, but the more he plays the better he will become.

Source: Match Programme, 25th March 1978