Ayr United 2 - 3 Aberdeen

This one was for the stout hearts - a game to stir the blood of the most placid fan. Playing the leading role was the man you can't keep out of the news these days. Great stuff in Denmark. Transfer ballyhoo. Two brilliant first-half goals. It looked a week and a half for Joe Harper. Then, with 13 minutes left, Joe's world crashed about his ears. There was no jaunty step, no expansive smile from the Pittodrie swashbuckler as he made the short but agonising journey from in front of the visiting dug-out to the dressing-room and an early bath. This was the price the wee fellow had to pay for a swipe at Ayr's Johnny Graham. Graham, too, got his marching orders, a rather harsh decision by a referee who seemed to find the game (and hostilities) running away from him at times. In a belated effort to exert his authority Mr Kyle had booked Aberdeen's Robb and Hermiston and Doyle of Ayr, but when matters eventually came to a head the referee must have regretted his earlier leniency. Amid all the excitement and ferocious tackling there was plenty of great football. Whereas Jimmy Bonthrone's boys supplied the craft and tactical know-how. Ayr played it more straightforward. Twice when Joe Filippi overlapped they found a way through the tight Dons defence. George McLean cleverly side-footed United's first. but when Rikki Fleming came up to force home another Filippi cross near the end it was too late to matter.

MEMORABLE.

Jarvie opened the Aberdeen account from a Willoughby throw and Mitchell back-header before Harper made a couple of his mere memorable contributions. Robb to Harper and the ball was tamed and swiftly clipped behind Stewart. Then, when Varga split the Ayr rear-guard to find Taylor, Joe was awaiting the cross at the far side of the box. He breasted the ball down and unleashed a tremendous volley which blurred its way past Stewart. No disgrace to Ayr. They'll often play worse and win. Filippi. McCulloch, Ingram, and Graham were their top men. Aberdeen - impressive, with Clark, Willoughby, Robb, Murray, Taylor and Harper (before his indiscretion) outstanding. New boy Barrie Mitchell can be pleased with his debut, although he did tire a bit towards the end.

Source: possibly The Sunday Post, 21st October 1972