Aberdeen 4 - 5 British Army

THE crowd at Pittodrie on Saturday, estimated at 25,000, will long remember the visit of the British Army team in the Colman benefit match. They beat an Aberdeen Select 5-4, a result wlhich flatters the homesters. Their display in the first half was the finest seen Aberdeen for many years.

Outstanding feature were their quick positioning, the ease with which they found each other, and their magnificent ball control.

Most of the Army players have played together all season in representative and International matches, and this had a great deal to do with the machine-like working of the team as a whole.
It was little wonder, therefore, that the Aberdeen Select was more or less outplayed and outmanoeuvred in the first half, when the Army led deservedly by 4-1.
There was, however, a different state of affairs in the second period, especially in the last half hour. The Aberdeen half-backs and forwards had developed a better understanding. They became a real live force, and the Army defence wavered under constant pressure.
The Aberdeen players deserve every credit for their wonderful fight back in the closing stages.
The game was great triumph for Stan Mortensen. the Aberdeen centre, who scored all the Select's four goals. Lawton (2), Robinson (2), and Hagan scored for the Army.
The all-round excellence of the Army team speaks for itself. Moody in goal made a grand substitute for Swift. He had no chance with any of Mortensen's goals. Carabine was none too sure of himself at back.
Dawson in the Aberdeen goal might have saved Lawton's second counter, but he was superb in the closing half hour. Thougn often outwitted, Gray and Ancell fought gamely while all three Aberdeen half-backs came through the ordeal creditably. Mortensen stood out as the best forward. He is a great opportunist. Herd was the weak link in attack, but Waddell was clever and enterprising throughout. Walker had his moments, but Gordon Smith was disappointing.

Source: Press & Journal, 24th May 1943