Aberdeen 0 - 1 Albion Rovers

Hopes Dashed by Albion Rovers

SATURDAY WAS A BLACK DAY FOR ABERDEEN FOOTBALL.

After holding the Rovers to a 3-3 draw at Coatbridge, the Dons were regarded as a "good thing" for the second round of the cup competition.
Albion Rovers had other ideas, and they proved more practical than those of Aberdeen.
And thir in spit of the fact that the Pittodrie side was strengthened by the inclusion of Armstrong, Strauss, and Cowie, who travelled from the south of England to play.
A goal three minutes after the start of Saturday's match smashed the Dons' hopes.

SIMPLE AFFAIR

It was a comparatively simple affair. Degnan sent over a corner from the right and Burke got his head to it. Kelly failed to reach the ball and Bell sent the rebound into the net.
Aberdeen fought desperately to regain equality.
More than once they came within an ace of succeeding, but a little bad luck combined with a gallant Coatbridge defence frustrated their best efforts.
The Aberdeen forwards had a bad day. It is they who must shoulder the main responsibility for the defeat.
They never settled down into a smooth-working line and failed to counter the quick tackling of the visitors' defenders.

THE ONE ATTACKER

Struss was the one attacker who gave the impression of being a potential match-winner, but in the second half he was neglected by his team-mates for long periods.
Cowie and Anderson played well at back and Kelly was sound in goal.
Albion Rovers could not be grudged their success.
Every member of the side was on his toes.
The defence never faltered in the face of Aberdeen's most desperate onslaughts. Beath at left-back had the measure of Smith, and Sharp and McLetchie, the wing half-backs, combined defence with attack judiciously.

FULL OF PEP

The forwards were not brilliant, but were full of pep. The general of the line was Kiernan, a strong forceful inside-forward. Louden and Bell on the left were a smart combination.

Attendance. 8841; drawings. £378 (less tax).

Source: Press & Journal, 4th March 1940