East Fife 1 - 0 Aberdeen

HAVING won only two points of a possible seven in their last three games Aberdeen must take the maximum seven points from their last three engagements to make certain of winning the North Eastern League. Rangers are once again equal with the Dons, and East Fife are a point behind. Both these teams, however have played a match more than the Dons.

What has come over the Aberdeen attack? Up to three weeks ago it was the most dangerous line in the League, but not a single goal has been scored by the forwards for three weeks.
This is the division which letting the team down, although it must kept in mind that at Methil both Baird and Lloyd were absent. The defence is good as ever. That was proved once again at Methil on Saturday, where the Dons went under by the only goal of the match. The Dons should not have been beaten by the Fifers. Through the game the Dons were the better team. They had what looked a perfectly good goal by Buchan disallowed, and all the Aberdeen defenders contended that the ball did not cross the goal-line when East Fife got their counter through Kelly. Then a great shot by Pattillo struck the crossbar in the second half.
The defensive play of both teams was on a high level. The outstanding man in the Aberdeen team was Newman at centre-half. He played a great game, and simply crowded out Kelly, the Hearts centre, who led the Fife attack.
Behind him, he had sturdy backs in Cooper and McKenna, and Johnstone was safe in goal. G. Taylor was back to his best form at right half, and Cruickshank also had a good game.
The attack was lopsided. Pattillo and Miller were best, with Buchan always a trier. Best for East Fife were Stewart, Altken, Sneddon, McKeowan and Duncan.

Source: Press & Journal, 30th April 1945