Aberdeen 2 - 2 Airdrie

Airdrie Should Have Been On The Run Before Interval

IF Aberdeen do not meet Rangers in the League Cup final at Hampden, then they have themselves entirely to blame.

Against Airdrie at Ibrox, where the result was 2-2 after extra time, the Dons simply frittered away chance after chance.
Had they taken advantage of even the easiest of the scoring opportunities they would have had the game won by a substantial margin at the of end ninety minutes' play.
There should have been no necessity for a second meeting between the teams. So far as the Dons were concerned, it was the old story of missed chances. They should have had this game won, and won well, in the first half, when they were verv much superior to the 'Onians.
Airdrie scored first. Hamilton equalised and Baird gave the Dons an interval lead by the odd goal in three. Airdrie drew level from a very doubtful penalty, converted bv Aitken in the second half.
Hamilton should have made victory secure for the Dons in the second quarter of the extra half-hour's play.
He failed with the two easiest chances of the day.
Full credit, however, must be given Airdrleonians for a plucky display. They were a team of fighters all the time.

Cooper Outstanding

The Aberdeen defence was sound, with Cooper the outstanding back afield. Dunlop had a great game at centre-half. On this showing he was superior to Brennan. In an attack which played football of a high standard at times, Williams gave Brennan a lot of trouble, and it was not until into the second half that the international pivot held him in subjection. By that time the Dons' forward play had deteriorated considerably.
Brennan, however, saved Airdrie time and again during the extra half-hour of play.
Hamilton was a mixture of good and bad but Baird slumped badly after the interval. Kiddie and McCall did good work on the wings.
The Aberdeen team for the replay will not chosen until tonight. It is not known whether Hamilton will be available. He is due to play for Scottish Command at Wolverhampton tomorrow, while Williams' military duties may prevent him from travelling. Both Kiddie and Taylor are doubtful starters owing to injuries, while McCall was also casualty. A final report on their condition will be given today.

Source: Press & Journal, 28th April 1946