Ross County 0 - 5 Aberdeen

A DREAM DEBUT by John Thomson in the County goal could not disguise the fact that the Dons were far too fast and quick-thinking for the Highland Leaguers, writes Bill McAllister.
Thomson had a series of superb saves which delighted the 3500 crowd in the Jim Hosie-Sandy Mackenzie benefit match at Ding-wail, but the Pittodrle power had the homesters gasping; and the Dons coasted to a comfortable and impressive win.

The performance of Thomson who looks poised to solve the Ross goalkeeping problem was the highlight from the home point of view.
Their other new signing, Ian Brownlee from Caley, had a quieter game and was only seen in patches. County were only as good as they were allowed to be against an Aberdeen side always well in command.
Jim Forrest was a late call-off after being injured in training, and Jim Hamilton led the Dona attack. It took them only 60 seconds to go ahead. PETERSEN hit a drive just wide in the opening raid, then burst through again to fire in a 25-yard, acutely-angled shot which Thomson never saw.
In nine minutes a curling cross from the Danish right half had Thomson beaten and McMillan punched off the line. But the new keeper drew a tremendous roar when he flung himself sideways to parry Jimmy Smith's penalty kick. Thomson held a difficult Martin Buchan drive and County's first near thing came, appropriately, from Hosie with a shot on the turn which went narrowly past.

TAYLOR ON

Thomson held a Robb searcher. Then Hamilton handled a Johnston cut back when it seemed easier to score.
County had a spell of pressure but Boel and company were standing on no ceremony. Shewan drove narrowly past, then Thomson made two grand saves from headers by George Buchan. In 32 minutes Taylor replaced George Buchan.
brett came up to lash one over the top as County battled to give the fans the goal they were looking for, but the homesters were fortunate in 35 minutes when Robb uleashed a rocket which Thomson somehow touched onto,the inside of the post - and the ball defied the laws of gravity by bouncing out.
At the other end McGarr fumbled a snap shot from Hoale and recovered to boot clear front Brownlee.
Just on the interval Thomson made a full-length save from a Martin Buchan rocket. It was an amazing display from a keeper who had not played this year.
Macdonald replaced Maclennan in the second half and right away McGarr made a brilliant sideways save from Lynas after Boel had missed a through ball.
Wilson came on for Hamilton in time to see McGarr hold another fierce Lynas drive, but in 60 minutes the Dons went two ahead when TAYLOR shot through a ruck of players at the edge of the box and the ball went in via the near post.

TWO LECTURED

The game's only discordant note came when Boel bowled over young Buchanan. As the centre half waited for the ball to come back into play he clashed with Lynas and fell holding his face. Referee Phillips, however, cooled matters down and lectured both Players.
In 66 minutes ROBB cleverly ran on to a Johnston pass to kick the ball past the outcoming keeper. Seven minutes later they repeated the routine when Johnston cut the ball back from the by-line and ROBB rammed it home.
It took another classy McGarr save to foil Haile. The Ross right winger came off after this and Bannerman replaced him. County were trying hard for a consolation goal and a Greig try was deflected past. Then Brownlee just failed to prod home in a tremendous scrimmage in the Dons goal. But, in the last minute, MARTIN BUCHAN capped a great bout of inter-passing by walking home No. 5.
Top men for the Dons were McGarr, Shewan, Petersen, Martin Buchan and Johnston. County's stars were Thomson, Borley, Brett, Mackenzie, Lynas and Buchanan.

Source: Press and Journal, 2nd May 1969