Aberdeen 3 - 0 Rangers

ABERDEEN can be hailed as champions of the North-Eastern League. They lead Rangers by two points, and the Ibrox team must beat Dundee United in the last engagement by at least eighteen goals without loss to beat the Dons' goal average. Rangers must look on that as an almost impossible task.

Seldom have the Dons rlsen to the occasion so mignificently as they did against Rangers at Pittodrie. They played as a team, and with great enthusiasm and energy. Their 3-0 victory over the Light Blues who had three internationalists in the attack, was worthily achieved.

The Dons never looked like losing from the start. Only for a brief period in the opening stages did Rangers excel, but after that the Dons were their masters in every phase of the game.

It was a teethy struggle throughout. Hard knocks were given and taken. Smith, the Rangers' centre, was ordered off ten minutes from time.
From the outset the Dons set about their opponents with a determination which was bound to yield good results. The Dons had a plan. They were out to stop Waddell, Smith and Venters, and they succeeded in doing so. That was the secret of their success.
Aberdeen have beaten Rangers often in the past, but seldom before has victory been gained in such convincing style. The home defence was very steady throughout. Johnstone was tested but not found wanting. Cooper and Dyer were a pair of resolute backs. The outstanding man in the Aberdeen team, however, was Dunlop at centre-half. He simply blotted out Smith, and often found time to initiate attacks. Taylor's mission was to stop Venters. The Dons right half made a great job of it. Thomson too, was effective at left half, although he failed with a penalty.
The home attack was a strong and virile force. Pattillo led the line in grand style, and had two well-taken goals. Wallbanks was a success as inside forward. He formed a strong link between Pattillo and Ancell. Green, who had the opening goal, worked with great enthusiasm, and showed skill in holding and releasing the ball. Dryden has seldom played better. He was dangerous throughout, while Ancell, besides making two of the goals, was a dashing winger.
Jenkins, in the Rangers goal, was none too confident in his handling. Craven was the better back, and Woodburn outstanding at half. None of the forwards impressed. They were not allowed to.

Source: Press & Journal, 24th April 1944