Aberdeen 1 - 2 Clydebank

Anyone who follows football closely will confirm that it is a contrary game in which things which seem obvious do not always work out that way. This was emphasised when a strong Dons side, containing several regular first team players, faced Clydebank in a Premier Reserve League fixture at Pittodrie yet lost 2-1.
The Dons team was: Gunn, Robertson, McQueen, Mitchell, Garner, Angus, Black, Simpson, McDougall, Gray, Porteous. Subs: Weir, Hewitt.
At first glance the fact that such a powerful team should be beaten by what looked lesser opposition on paper looked a mini disaster but in fact it is something which can always happen. Assistant manager Willie Garner pointed out: 'It is not always easy for players used to first team atmosphere with big crowds and a great deal at stake to adapt their game to reserve football. Through no fault of their own they can find it takes time to readjust while, on the other hand, opposition players find their game has been given a lift because they are playing against bigger names than usual. Clydebank played extremely well against us and deserved their win but the big bonus for Aberdeen was that Eric Black played for the full 90 minutes after his absence from the first team with an ankle injury and came through very well.'
'That was a bonus to the club as was the fact that all of the players picked up some useful match practice at a time in the season which was difficult for everyone because of the interruptions in the normal continuity of fixtures. We're not making excuses for the fact that we were beaten but there are usually good positive aspects to be found in any situation. Dons could, in fact, have been a goal or two ahead when Mackenzie beat Gunn with a 12 yards shot way out of his reach after 19 minutes. McDougall had seen two or three good efforts saved by Brodie but then it was a battle to get back into the game until Angus squared it after about an hour.
Aberdeen played some neat approach football in front of a larger crowd than usual but could not get the level of form they needed. Then after Angus had equalised from 15 yards out Moore hit the surprise winner for Bankies. The equaliser had emerged from an improved spell after the experienced subs Hewitt and Weir were brought on but by this time the Clydebank part-timers had increased in confidence. There's little doubt that the absence of injured central defender Bryan Gunn was a handicap. Happily this result was merely a temporary setback as things picked up quickly in the shape of a 3-1 away to Hibs.

Source: Match Programme, 28th December 1985