Aberdeen 5 - 0 St. Johnstone

It was an unfortunate quirk of fate for St. Johnstone to be playing the Dons on the anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War. Aberdeen's big guns proved to be too powerful for the newly-promoted Saints in front of 12,000 spectators, as they 'rifled' in five goals.

St. Johnstone were determined to prove that they had not travelled to Pittodrie just to make up the numbers. Aberdeen's early pressure was rewarded with two goals in the first 11 minutes. After Saints 'keeper McDonald had finger-tipped an Alex McLeish header over the bar, he was beaten in seven minutes when Willie Miller headed home from a Peter Weir corner to claim his first goal of the season.
Four minutes later John McMaster sent Weir away on the left wing. His cross was flicked against the post by John Hewitt and Eric Black was first to the rebound to poke the ball into the net. The loss of these two early goals did not dampen Saints' enthusiasm, although they knew they were now on a difficult mission. They defended stoutly without threatening Jim Leighton's goal. A glorious move involving Neale Cooper, Billy Stark and Peter Weir almost culminated in a goal but the ball slipped past the post.
In 25 minutes Doug Rougvie limped off with an ankle injury but returned six minutes later to find that the Dons were still dominating without adding to their total. Just before half-time McDonald brilliantly saved a vicious 30 yard shot from Weir and then Black squandered an easy chance.