Aberdeen 1 - 0 North Region (East) Junior Select

THE YOUNG DONS seem to be reserving their worst per¬formances for Pittodrie Stadium. After an encouraging 2-1 victory at Easter Road, they disappointed me and the 2000 spectators who turned up to see what should have been a clear-cut victory over the North Region (East) Junior Select last Saturday. Instead the full-time Pittodrie team scrambled their way to a 1-0 success.
I think that at the root of the young Dons' troubles was the fact that they treated the juniors too lightly when really they deserved the utmost respect. It was one of the best junior selects I have seen in this annual contest. It was only in the last 15 minutes when the juniors tired that the Reserves took any sort of grip of the game. Andy Geoghegan had another fine gams, produc¬ing several first-class saves to keep the junior scoresheet blank. Sandy Cleland was one of the few outfield Aberdeen players who will look back on the game with fond memories. His match-winning goal was the first he has scored for the club. Apart from that he played well enough.
Tommy McMillan played very steadily, considering that he was doubtful before the match with an upset stomach. John Craig had a steadying influence when he came on as a substitute but, on the whole, too many players put too little effort into the game. The season is wearing on . . . they will have to shake themselves up very soon.
Of the junior team I liked goalkeeper Clark, right back Lamond, centre half Summers and inside left Davidson. The last named could have a future in the game. And finally a word of praise for the local junior referee and linesmen. Mr. Officer and Messrs. Harper and McBeth on the touchlines were a very efficient team of officials.

Source: Match Programme, 30th October 1971