The Aberdeen 4 - 3 Forfar Athletic

At Chanonry, Aberdeen engaged the Forfar Athletic under Northern League auspices. Teams: Aberdeen: Smyth; Davidson, McConnachie; Mackie, Henderson, Thomson, Kennedy, MackIntosh, Cadger, Gray, Shiach. Forfar: Campbell; Thomson, Davidson; Cable, Gerrard, Irons, Prophet, McFarlane, Beat, Boath, Shepherd. Mr McIntosh, Montrose, was referee. Aberdeen kicked off, and the first really dangerous effort was when Shiach shot across the goal to McIntosh, who muddled a good chance, of scoring. Down came the Forfar men after the kick off, but a good combined run had a fruitless result owing to bad manoeuvring at goal. Forfar continued to press for some time, but the Aberdeen forwards, opened up, and after some exchanges on the right a shot was directed to the goal, which Campbell got away. The first corner of the match came to Forfar. Smyth fisted out, but the return shot grazed the upright. Aberdeen obtained a couple, of fruitless corners immediately afterwards. Both ends were visited repeatedly, but half time arrived without either team having scored.

Immediately after the kick-off, Aberdeen invaded, and Kennedy opened the scoring. Aberdeen made another rush, and fighting their way to the goalmouth, Cadger beat Campbell for a second time. Henderson repeated the performance a minute afterwards, three goals being scored in almost as many minutes. From a penalty kick Mackie netted the ball for a fourth time. Aberdeen now relaxed their efforts somewhat and were caught napping, Gerrard scoring for Forfar with a long shot. This seemed to again bring Aberdeen to the scratch, and Campbell's charge had several narrow escapes, Gray, Cadger, and Shiach each having dangerous tries. Forfar were subjected to prolonged pressure, but Shepherd got away, and after a few exchanges in the goalmouth the ball was headed past Smyth. Shortly before time Forfar again scored.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 22nd November 1897

The early start was accountable for the rather poor attendance at Chanonry, where the Whites had Forfar Athletic as their opponents. Cable played centre for the home team, and J. Mackie appeared at right half. Forfar were very late in turning up. Aberdeen started, and some good play on the left gave McIntosh an easy chance which, however, he failed to take advantage of. Aberdeen kept up the pressure, but failed to beat Campbell. The Whites' left wing were putting in some grand work, and if the others had taken half the advantage given them there should have been a goal or two to Aberdeen's credit early in the game. At half time no scoring had taken place.

On restarting the Whites' forwards dashed through their opponents' defence, and Kennedy opened the scoring. The ball was no sooner in motion than a second was put on by Cadger. A minute afterwards Henderson repeated the performance, and the delight of the Chanonry supporters knew no bounds. From a penalty Mackie added a fourth. As though content with their lead, Aberdeen became rather careless, and allowed Forfar to score through Gerrard, This reverse spurred on the Whites, and Campbell had an anxious time of it. Getting away, Forfar got a second goal, and immediately before time managed to put on a third. A good game ended: Aberdeen, 4; Forfar, 3.

Source: Bon-Accord, 25th November 1897