Aberdeen 2
Dundee Utd 0
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

For many years now, in fact almost coinciding with the advent of the Premier Division, Pittodrie has been one of our favoured grounds. The price we have had to pay has been Aberdeen's equal preference for extracting points from Tannadice. Gradually over the past few seasons the success both sides have had on each others grounds has switched to their own patch. The two meetings this season have reflected these changes in fortunes all too clearly. Earlier this term we earned a comfortable 2-0 victory over the Dons and unfortunately our visit to Pittodrie produced a mirror image of the first meeting, but this time in Aberdeen's favour.

The first half gave little indication of how the Dons would emerge victors with room to spare, though. Newcomer Hans Gillhaus did have a couple of penetrating runs, but in terms of goal attempts neither 'keeper was seriously troubled. However, once Aberdeen edged in front we were always chasing the game. Their opener came four minutes into the second half when Charlie Nicholas pounced on a short pass from Gillhaus and sent a swerving 20 yarder past Alan Main.

Aberdeen's second goal 18 minutes from time was a scrambled affair. The ball bounced high in the box and wasn't cleared, allowing Paul Mason to sneak in and net from an acute angle. Just prior to that killer goal we had a strong penalty appeal rejected when Peter Hinds was brought down. True, we staged something of a late rally, but only a long range effort by Freddy Van Der Hoorn tested Snelders, and there could be no complaints that Aberdeen were worthy winners.