Forfar Athletic 1 - 4 The Aberdeen

These teams met on Station Park, Forfar, in a Northern League fixture. The players were: Forfar: Soutar; Thomson, Reid; McFarlane, Rodger, Thom; Prophet, Taylor, Coultie, Booth, Shepherd. Aberdeen: Ritchie; Davidson, McConnachie; Mackie, Henderson, Jones; Livingston, Linton, Fullerton, Gray, Shiach. The visitors were late in arriving. The game started in beautiful, weather, and Aberdeen early asserted themselves, scoring their first point a few minutes after the commencement. After that they had the game well in hand, and caused considerable trouble to the Athletic defence. The homesters tried a break-away, but were repulsed. Aberdeen soon scored a second goal. By this time a heavy mist had fallen, and it became almost impossible to distinguish the players. The teams crossed over with the scores at 2 goals to 0 in the visitors' favour.

On the resumption of play, Athletic opened briskly, but Aberdeen retaliated and scored. Darkness was fast setting in, and, with the heavy mist, players and ball could scarcely be seen. Athletic were pressing almost continually now, and a penalty was awarded against Aberdeen. McFarlane kicked it, and though the goal-keeper succeeded in stopping the ball, it was ultimately forced through from a rush down the field. The visitors again scored, and the game ultimately ended: Aberdeen, 4 goals; Forfar Athletic, 1. Soutar protested on the ground of darkness.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 21st November 1898

Aberdeen travelled to Forfar with their full team, who were determined to annex the two points, and they did it to some tune. The Whites were slightly late in arriving at the grounds. but to save time the whole team dressed in the train on the way through, and the game was started immediately on arrival.

Forfar were the first to pass, but they found the visitor' defence in grand form. Then a fine run by Fullerton caused Soutar to exert himself. Aberdeen took the game in hand and simply made rings round the homesters. To Fullerton fell the honour of opening the scoring after some pretty play by the left wing. Still keeping up the pressure, the Aberdeen forwards found a corner and from it Fullerton scored a magnificent goal. Forfar's visits to Ritchie were few and far between, McConnochie and Davidson being usually too strong for them. No further scoring took place, although the Whites had the hardest of wins very often.
At half-time the light was most miserable. It was not so dark, but the heavy mist rendered the players difficult to play out. It however soon cleared off some, and the spectators were happy.

On resuming, Forfar had a look in, but did not stay long, and from the run down, Fullerton scored number three with a long shot. Forfar scored this first and only goal from a penalty which Ritchie partially scored but could not get away. Jim Mackie got injured and had to leave the field for a few minutes, and, on returning, went outside left, Fullerton going half, and Gray centre. The fourth goal was smartly shot by "Fairmer" from the left wing, and that finished the scoring for the day, the result being Aberdeen 4, Forfar 1.

When it seemed hopeless to make up the leeway, and with about five minutes to go, Soutar rushed up the field and asked the referee to stop, which, however, was not done. A minute or so afterwards, Black, who was on the line, went over to the referee. What passed between the two we do not know, but it was strange that the game was stopped immediately. It will be little short of a scandal should the game have to be replayed, and that visit of Black to the referee wants some explanation.

The play of Aberdeen was head and shoulders above their opponents. The Whites, one and all, gave as fine an exhibition as has been seen in Forfar for some time. In Linton, the Aberdeen seem to have got the one weak spot filled to their satisfaction. He is a most judicious player, and his passes rarely go astray.
John Davidson was never in better form than at present Henderson, centre half, played one of his best games, but in fact: the team all over could scarcely have been improved. It is a long time since we have seen so good an eleven, especially the Whites.
Aberdeen play Lochee at Central, on Saturday first. This is the Whites' clear day, and we expect a bumper house. Lochee are going strong at present. Last week they drew with Wanderers in a Forfarshire League game.

Source: Bon-Accord, 24th November 1898