ABERDEEN were the more aggressive side in their Texaco Cup match against Newcastle United, the holders, at Pittodrie last night, but failing to take their chances, they left themselves a tough assignment in the second leg in a fortnight's time.
Newcastle, fast and dangerous on the break, made ground with a refreshing economy of movement and had a speedy spearhead. MacDonald, Nattrass and McDermott were their outstanding players.
In the first half Aberdeen played with more dash and aggression and went ahead in 24 minutes when Young shot in from 18 yards off a short Jarvie pass.
MacDonald equalised in 34 minutes. He collected a pass from Hibbitt, raced through, rounded the advancing Clark, and calmly placed the ball in the net.
Aberdeen Teamsheet Clark,
Hermiston,
McLelland,
Smith,
Young,
Miller,
Purdie,
Hair,
Thomson,
Jarvie,
Graham.
Unused Subs: Geoghegan, Williamson.
Newcastle United Teamsheet
Ian McFaul,
Irving Nattrass,
Frank Clark,
Terry McDermott,
Glenn Keeley,
Pat Howard,
Mickey Burns,
Jimmy Smith (Capt),
Malcolm MacDonald,
John Tudor,
Terry Hibbitt.
Unused Subs: Tony Bell (gk),
Tommy Gibb.
Attendance: 13,514
Venue: Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Referee: Alastair Mackenzie, Larbert