East Fife 1 - 3 Aberdeen

ABERDEEN reserves were a compact and confident team at Methil yesterday, when they beat East Fife in the first round of the Scottish Second XI. Cup.
They were better balanced in defence and more mobile and thrustful in attack.

They have to travel again in the next stage to meet Falkirk.
Most competent Pittodrie defender was Emery. The former Swindon back is much more effective on the left than on the right.
The Aberdeen half-back line was well organised. Kelly was the trouble-maker in attack and he was unlucky not to score more than one goal. Next in order of merit comes Botha, whose tendency to rove caused the Fife defence considerable worry.
Gillies acted as the Young Dons path-finder. He pin-pointed the target in four minutes when he caught on to a long up-the-middle pass from Smith and drove a powerful shot past the Methil 'keeper.

Botha's Goal

In fourteen minutes Botha got No. 2. With a head flick, Kelly dropped a Preston clearance at the winger's feet and Botha smartly placed the ball the net.
Three minutes after the start of the second half Aberdeen reserves settled the issue with a third goal. This one was claimed by Kelly. He outpaced the East Fife dcfence in race for a clearance by Preston and cleverly flicked the ball into the net.
The Fifers' goal came seven minutes from the end. Henderson scoring after Canavan had hit the crossbar.

Source: Press & Journal, 14th September 1948