Semi's Heartbreak For Killie !

Aberdeen 1 Kilmarnock 0
(Scot Cup Semi-Final Muirton Park, Perth Mar 14th 1970)

After beating Partick, Hearts & Motherwell Killie took their place in this "neutral" Semi-Final at St Johnstone's Muirton Park.
Originally scheduled to be played at Hampden, the SFA switched the tie to Perth to accommodate Aberdeen's complaints of always having to go down to Glasgow.

Hardly a classic match, with the pressure of reaching the Cup Final taking its toll on both teams.

Aberdeen edged the first half with Derek Mckay netting a right footed shot  low past McLaughlan, with Billy Dickson (above) being just a fraction late.

The second half saw Killie take the game to Aberdeen, without really creating any clear-cut chances. Ross Mathie (who had scored in each of the earlier rounds) was looking out of it, perhaps in part to having nutted the goalpost the previous week while scoring the games only goal (a diving header)  the prior week Vs the Pars. Its plain to see they didn't have time for concussions, et al, back in the 70's!

To the right is pictured Killie Stalwart Jackie McGrory, getting stuck in to the Dons Jim Forrest (who was best known for being part of 1967's Berwick Rangers team that beat Glasgow Rangers).  As was the case in the early 70's crowd trouble marred the post match, with many from both sets of supporters taking our their frustrations (at not being able to see the game due to the over-crowding) in scuffles outside the ground.

Aberdeen would go on to beat Celtic 3-1 in the Final with McKay netting a double, before disappearing into obscurity. Muirton Park would never again be selected host a Cup Semi.

Killie: Mclaughlan, King, Dickson, McGrory, Gilmour, McDonald, T McLean, Mathie, Morrison, J McLean, Cook. Sub Strachan (Not used).

Crowd: 25,812