Aberdeen 3 - 0 Dunfermline Athletic

The Dons deserved the points, but the score exaggerates their superiority. The play of both sets of attackers was well below par. Their forwards must take most responsibility for the failure.
They were quick and clever in the outfield. At close quarters they insisted on putting too much work on the ball, and against an Aberdeen defence that was on its toes all the time these tactics proved fatal.

CENTRE A MATCH WINNERR

The home forwards were not particularly brilliant, but they were hardly so ineffective as the Dunfermline quintette. They had a match-winner in Pattillo, whose three goals testify to his ability to take his chances.
One can have nothing but praise for the Aberdeen defence. They always had the measure of the opposing attack. Johnstone in goal had an easy time. Anderson was the best back afield, and there was no more effective half-back than Waddell.
Jock Thomson played a strong, forcing game, but gave the impression that he was tiring towards the close. None of the forwards, apart from Pattillo, is worthy of a mention.

DUNFERMLINE STAR

Picken at left back was Dunfermline's outstanding player. He tackled and kicked well. Brown at left-half took the eye in the opening period. In the front line Dougan showed smart touches occasionally.
Aberdeen took the lead in twenty minutes, when Pattillo headed a corner from Smith into the net. The second goal came two minutes from the interval. Hogg was slow to make a clearance and Williams robbed him. Pattillo came dashing up, took the ball from the winger, and beat McCormack with a hard drive.
Fourteen minutes after the start of the second period the centre completed his hat-trick. Mills sent the ball ahead and Pattillo followed up to beat Hart and find the net off the post.

Source: Press & Journal, 12th February 1940