Aberdeen 5 - 3 Airdrie

Beat Airdrie in Replay to Reach League Cup Final

ABERDEEN qualified to meet Rangers in the League Cup final by defeating Airdrieonians by five goals to three, after extra time, at Ibrox last night.

The teams had thus played for four hours before the issue was settled.
The Dons were worthy winners in the end, but praise must be given to the 'Onians for a great and plucky fight.
At the end of ninety minutes' play last night the score was 2-2. It might have been 5-2, however, had Strauss, McCall and Williams accepted glorious scoring chances in the last five minutes before extra time.
The Dons were vastly superior in the first three-quarters of hour.
Brown saved Airdrie in the opening stages, as he did on Saturday, and he effected two brilliant saves from Strauss before the Springbok beat him in thirty-four minutes to give the Dons the lead.
It was by this goal that Aberdeen led at the interval. Airdrie were on level terms a minute after the resumption, and McKenna and Johnstone must share between them the blame for the loss of the goal. McKenna missed the ball, McCulloch fastened on to it and lobbed goalwards.
Johnstone was out position, and Cooper, in a vain effort to clear, kicked the ball into the roof of the net. It was clear, however, that the ball was well over the line before Cooper made contact.

Quick Scoring

Ten minutes later Kiddie had the Dons on the lead once more with a great goal, and Aitken levelled matters shortly afterwards with a very cute header.
The teams changed over for extra time with the score 2-2.

A minute after the start the extra half-hour Clapperton gave Airdrie the lead for the first time.
He crossed a high ball, but Johnstone apparently misjudged it, and it went into the corner of the net.
Once more, however, Williams got the equaliser for Aberdeen. Then came the climax. Baird headed the ball goalwards. Brown, the Airdrie 'keeper, was out and in an effort to prevent the ball entering the net the right back punched it over the bar. From the resultant penalty Baird made mistake to put the Dons ahead once more.
Then with only a minute to go Kiddie scored the greatest goal of the eight.
Getting possession well out he raced ahead, rounded Hadden, and drew Brown to place in the net.
it was in the extra period that Aberdeen's superiority was greatest. Airdrie lost their bite, the half-backs failed to keep their grip on the Aberdeen attack, and the backs were overworked. Aberdeen, on the whole, were good and worthy winners.
Aberdeen were without Hamilton and Taylor. Cowie was introduced at right-half, Waddell at left-half, and Strauss at outside-left. McCall was at inside-right, and Baird at inside-left. Airdrie were without Picken and Peden.
Johnstone, in the Aberdeen goal, had many smart and effective clearances, but there were times when he did not altogether inspire confidence. No back on the field compared with the veteran Cooper. What a back! McKenna was erratic and did not time the ball well.
Cowie was the outstanding half-back on view.
He fitted into the right-half position as if he had played there all his career.
Dunlop subdued Aitken to such extent that Scotland's leading goalscorer was shifted to inside-right in the extra period, yet there were times when Dunlop was uncertain in going for the ball.
Waddell more than paid way left-half.

Brennan's Bogey

Once more the duels between the diminutive Williams and the giant Brennan were always interesting and keen, with honours fairly even. The little centre was always up and kept Brennan guessing the whole game.
Baird was the best inside forward, but in the second half of the ninety minutes' play he seemed to tire. McCall was clever on the ball and distributed well, but his lack of height and weight was against him.
Both Strauss and Kiddie had a grand game. The Springbok put life and bite into the Aberdeen attack. Kiddie's play at times resembled Alex. Jackson at his best.
For Airdrie Brown could not be blamed for the defeat. Brennan enhanced his reputation, and forward the honours went to Aitken, McCulloch, and Watson.

Source: Press & Journal, 1st May 1946