Aberdeen 1 - 0 Queen of the South

The game beteen Aberdeen and Queen of the South at Pittodrie lacked "fire." Thrills were few and there was a surprising absence of sustained constructive footbll. As a spectacle it was disappointing.

Two reasons can be offered for this. First, a tricky wind made ball control difficult and tended to carry the ball off the line. To my mind, however, the second is more likely - the points were vital to both teams and the playr were over-anxious.
What few glimpses we had of cohesive football came mostly from the Dons, but they were all go too few.
Most credit must go to the defenders. Many of Aberdeen's attacks broke down on Denmark. I have no wish to detract from the lanky Dumfries pivot's fine display, but at the same time the Pittodrie forwards had sufficient chances to win by more than a single goal.
The Dons lacked an attacker capable of holding the ball and opening up the opposing defence.
They missed George Hamilton.
McCall was the match-winner. His goal was a model of dash and enterprose but that apart he was not so prominent as usual, not even when he changed places with McLaughin in the second half.
The Dons' recruit in the two games in which I have seen him strikes me as being more valuable at half-back than in the front line.
Harris took the eye occasionally in the second period and gave the impression that he mignt be dangerous if given the ball in front of him more often.
Kiddie and Willams did not shine as a right wing partnership.
Johnstone, in goal, dealt efficiently with all that came his way, and McKenna had a good game at left-back. Cooper had to deal with Oakes, Queen of the South's best forward, and he held his own.
Dunlop was sound at centre-half. Like most of the spectators he must have wondered when Queen of the South were going to make up their minds as to who was leader of the attack. Armstrong and Houliston were switched three times during the game.
The Aberdeen wing half-backs were very moderate, with Cowie the better.
The only goal of the game came after two minutes. When Harris was held up in the middle he flicked the ball to Williams, and McCall came hurtling in from the wing to head the South African's shot-cum-cross into the net.
Armstrong netted for Queen of the South when Johnstone pushed out a shot from Houliston, but there can be no doubt that the whistle had gone before Armstrong delivered his shot.

Source: Press & Journal, 21st October 1946