Arbroath 0 - 2 Aberdeen

Injury May Deprive Veteran Back of a Cup Medal
By NORMAN MACDONALD

IN the evening of his football career fate looks like playing Willie Cooper, the Dons' right back, a scurvy trick. Against Arbroath at Dens Park in the semi-final he pulled a thigh muscle in his right leg in the closing stages of the game.
He finished on the right touchline, and must be regarded as a very doubtful starter against Hibs in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday.

Twenty years in senior football, a cup medal almost within his grasp, and then to have it swept away as a result of an injury received in simple fashion. It's a tough break for a great-hearted player, and it sets the Aberdeen club defensive problem on the eve of the big game.
Cooper's injury apart, the Dons will have to play a great deal hotter than they did against Arbroath if they mean to bring the Scottish Cup north for the first time in history.
Frankly the Dons disappointed on Saturday. They took too long to assert themselves against a team that were neither their equals in individual skill nor as a combined force.
The Aberdeen players allowed the "B" Division club to knock them out of their stride. The Gayfield Park team put up a very gallant fight, but they produced little constructive football.
What they set out to do, and achieved to some extent, was to prevent the Dons settling down to their usual stylish game. They adopted spoiling tactics and relied on the long punt to set their own attackers going.
Most of the escapes were at the Arbroath goal, but the Red Lichties' hopes were not extinguished until Aberdeen got their second counter after sixty-nine minutes' play.

Bonnar thc Hero

The finishing of the Pittodrie forwards again left a good deal to be desired. Snap was lacking at close quarterss. Credit, too, however, must be given Bonnar, the Arbroath 'keeper. He put up a magnificent display. He was hero No. 1.
Outstanding incidents in thc game all occurred round Bonnar's charge. Three times during the ninety minutes - twice in the first half - the Dons had the ball in thc net, but the referee chalked the goals off for infringements.
Harris-Williams movement saw Baird put the ball in the net, but he had used his hand, and later when Williams and Bonnar dived for a Hamilton lob and the South African beat the 'keeper by a "head," offside nullified the point.
In the second half, too, Williams had the ball in the net from another Hamilton lob. and once again thc referee whistled for offside.
For all his brilliance, only the woodwork saved Bonnar on three occasions. Shots by McLaughlin, McKenna and Williams all struck the crossbar.

Terrific Shot

There were only three minutes of the first half left for play when Aberdeen opened the scoring. It was well-taken point. Baird sent the ball through to Hamilton, and the inside right nodded it to Williams' feet. The centre gave me the impression that he would pass either to McCall or Harris, but he suddenly wheeled and loosed a terrific shot that gave Bonnar no chance.
Early in the second half Hamilton should have increased Aberdeen's total. A neat slip from Williams left him with nobody to beat but the 'keeper. A goal seemed certain, but Hamilton tried to dummy Bonnar and finally completely missed his kick.
The second counter came twenty-four minutes after the start of the second half. When McCall returned a corner from Harris into the middle with his head, Williams, quick as flash hooked the ball into the net.

Dunlop, McCall Outstanding

I have often seen the whole of the Aberdeen right flank play beter. At Den Park the team had a lop-sided appearance. Only six of Aberdeen's eleven players get full marks for Saturday's display. They are Johnstone, McKenna, Dunlop, Taylor, McCall and Williams. Medals for outstanding performances go to Arbroath's Bonnar, McGinlay at left half, who gave a very spirited display; McMullen and Smith. The last named could make ground, but is finishing was very poor.

Source: Press & Journal, 11th April 1947