Dundee United 2 - 0 Aberdeen

TWO "gift" goals in the last five minutes decided the issue at Tannadice Park on Saturday. The Dons should never have lost.

Two blunders produced two goals in a game that seemed certain to finish in a goal-less draw. Lyon was unfit for duty owing to a leg injury, and McCall, who deputised, conceded the first goal five minutes from the end .
He received the ball from a throw-in and, attempting to pass back to Lamb, lobbed the ball over the keeper into the net.
Three minutes later, following a corner, Taylor fouled Ross inside the penalty area. When the incident occurred, the ball had been cleared, but the referee had no alternative but to award a penalty. Watson netted from the spot.

CHANCES LOST

A lively ball, difficult to control spoiled the game to a large extent. All in all, the Dons probably had more scoring chances than the United. That they failed to find the net was due principally to the conditions but, at the same time, the forwards could not be congratulated on their finishing.
Armstrong, who led the line, made the mistake of trying to hold the ball. Watson, Hall, Russell's, was at inside-right and worked hard, but met with little success. Graham, drafted into the attack at the last minute, tried hard to bustle the United defence, but did not reveal the attributes of a forward.
Bain gave a good display on the right wing and may prove well worth persevering with in this position. Dyer started brightly, but later found it difficult to make headway against D. Smith, a robust back.
The Aberdeen half-backs played well. McCall, apart from that fatal pass back, was never in difficulties. Dunlop was the best wing middleman afield. Cooper and Beattie again worked well in partnership and Lamb in goal gave a satisfactory display.
Fordyce and Morgan, both of whom played soundly and consistently, were outstanding in the home defence. Gardiner was the best forward, although S. Smith was a livelier raider on the left at times.

Source: Press & Journal, 12th January 1942