Aberdeen 1 - 0 Kilmarnock

By NORMAN MACDONALD

A goal by Archie Baird twenty-one minutes from the end gave the Dons victory against Kilmarnock at Pittodrie last night. The winning goal came hard on the heels a penalty miss by Taylor.
The Dons were not convincing. They were up against a hard-hitting Ayrshire team. The Killle players went to meet the ball and tackled first-time.
Aberdeen were never allowed to settle. They insisted in trying to play close, carpet football and they found they were attempting the impossible. First-time tackling and a greasy ball combined throw a spanner in tne Pittodrie attacking machine.
The Dons didn't play like champions. A team with championship aspirations must be prepared to change their tactics according to the type of opposition. This the Dons failed to do.
Had they taken a leaf from Kilmarnock's book and gone to meet the ball and kept it swinging, they would have won by a bigger margin than single goal. It was anybody's game in the first half, but after the interval Aberdeen were seen more often in attack.
Both keepers made good saves in the opening period. Johnstone did well to prevent good tries by Turnbull finding the net, and on one occasion Waddell cleared on the line when the keeper failed to get rid of a long lob from Hood.
At the Killie end Downie did well to stop a header by Baird and went full length to dangerous efforts from McCall and Hamilton.
Baird's winning goal the twenty-fourth minute of the second half was s well-taken affair. Alec Kiddie placed a flag kick accurately and the inside-left headed the ball down and into the net.
Two minutes before this Turnbull fisted out a header by Harris with the keeper beaten. Taylor took the spot kick, but Downie brought off a brilliant save.
Kilmarnock almost snatched the equaliser in the closing stages. They were full of fight, and, from a corner by McAvoy, Reid rose to send the ball crashing against the crossbar.

Cowie's Coolness

The Aberdeen defence got plenty to do. Johnstone was confident in goal, and again Cowie played with coolness and intelligence. Sinclair gave McKenna a lively time and there were occasions when the left back was not too impressive.
Taylor was the best half-back. His tackling was strong and he tried hard to get the forwards going. Waddell settled down to a steady game after a somewhat shaky start.
Dunlop is not yet at home in the right half berth. Too often he was inclined to wander into the middle of the field.
Hamilton was energetic but put too much work on the ball, and Baird was no more successful. Harris was a lively leader, but was given few chances. Alec Kiddie was the more dangerous winger.

Source: Press & Journal, 15th August 1946