Aberdeen 4 - 0 Kilmarnock

The Dons scored four against a struggling Kilmarnock side but the second goal was scored while two of the visitors were lying injured. 8,500 spectators were at the game.

A good move involving Eddie Thomson, Jim Henry and Drew Jarvie ended with the last-named laying the ball off to Ian Hair, whose fierce shot was well saved. Henry took a quick free kick but the keeper palmed down Ian Purdie's shot. The Dons were putting the accent on attack and when Billy Williamson had a shot blocked the ball spun to Robertson who cleared.
Neat play by Purdie gave Arthur Graham an opening and McCulloch had a good save. It was virtually one way traffic at this stage but the Dons were stroking the ball about rather casually, particularly in defence. They were almost caught out when Hair lost possession and Bobby Clark dived bravely at Sheed's feet to save. In Aberdeen's next attack Jarvie flicked the ball to Graham whose net-bound shot was cleared off the line by Robertson. Willie Young had a strong header from Henry's free kick palmed over the bar by McCulloch. At this stage the Dons were forcing corner after corner and, although the home fans were enjoying the unrelenting pressure, they were wanting a goal. In 24 minutes they were celebrating when Graham had a shot blocked, chipped the rebound into the danger zone and there was Jarvie to outjump Sheed and head home. There was little sign of Killie retaliating and Aberdeen had a vice-like control of the game. Jarvie's neat footwork was causing trouble in the visiting defence and he beat two opponents to send Henry away but McCulloch came to the rescue. A bizarre incident in 43 minutes led to a second goal. There were two accidental clashes involving Young and Ian McCulloch and Williamson and Morrison and while the two Kilmarnock players lay injured Young scored with a low shot from 12 yards.

Half Time 2-0

Whyte and McLean had replaced the injured pair and, within two minutes, Williamson, obviously feeling the effects of his collision, came off to be replaced by Duncan Davidson. Killie were fighting gamely and a shot by McLean was deflected by Chic McLelland for a corner. Eddie Thomson burst past two opponents on the right but mishit his cross. A lot of fire had gone out of the game and the Dons seemed to be quite content with their lead, though the fans began to voice their displeasure at the lack of urgency. Graham and Henry both missed good opportunities and Sheed came close to scoring in a breakaway. Then Billy Pirie substituted for Henry. In 72 minutes the home team got a penalty when Jarvie was fouled by Maxwell and Pirie celebrated his arrival on the pitch by banging home the spot kick. Jarvie, who had had an excellent match, had two first class shots in the closing minutes which brought out the best in McCulloch. A minute from the end Graham at last found some accuracy in his shooting when he raced on to the ball when Young flicked it over the Killie defence, breasted it down an: drove the ball past the keeper. It had been a workmanlike, rather than inspirational, display by the Dons.

Source: Match Programme, 2nd March 1996