Aberdeen 7 - 1 East Fife

BY their smashing 7-1 victory over East Fife at Pittodrie Aberdeen have established themselves in second place in the North-Eastern League.
Dundee still lead. They won at Tynecastle. But Rangers have dropped behind through only drawing at home with Dunfermline. The Dons have now the best goal average of all the teams. In their iast two matches they have scored twelve goals for the loss of one. Their form at Falkirk and Pittcdrle, justifies the belief that they will go on doing well. It should kept in mind, too, that players of the calibre of Dyer, Pattillo and Taylor were absent on Saturday.

Against East Fife, the Dons were a well-balanced combination. It was not until after the interval that they asserted their superiority in no uncertain manner. The Fifers were thoroughly trounced.
The home defence was solid and resourceful. Green was a big success at left back. A versatile player, if ever there was one. Johnstone and Cooper did their work confidently.
The outstanding player on the field was Dunlop, the Aberdeen pivot. In both defence and attack he was a tower of strength. Russell played his part well, and Cruickshank, after a shaky opening, settled down to a fine constructive game.
The game was a triumph for Waldron, the Aberdeen centre. He had four goals, two from penalties. His novel way of taking a spot-kick intrigued the big crowd. Standing sideways to the goal and close to the ball, he simply glided it home. He held the attack together, too, and distributed well.
Bremner, who had two goals, had no superior as an inside forward. Buchan, who also scored a goal, impreesed in his debut at outside right, and is worth persevering with. Matt Armstrong was quietly effective, while Munro had another good game.
The Fifers collapsed after the interval. The covering-up of their defenders was faulty. Newman and Cowie were the only visiting forwards to reveal any craft.

Source: Press & Journal, 11th September 1944

Even former Dons' hero, Willie Mills, could do nothing to balance up the scoreline.