The Aberdeen 5 - 0 Victoria United

In ideal Christmas weather, and before a large crowd of spectators, Victoria United met Aberdeen in the second match of the competition for the newly-instituted Rhodesia Cup, The ground was in good trim, giving good foothold without being too fast; and the recent good form displayed by Aberdeen led their supporters to hope that they would be able to worst their opponents, who had previously been beaten by the Orion in the first match of the competition. The teams lined up as follows: Aberdeen: Ritchie; Davidson, Maconnochie; Mackie, Henderson, Thomson; Livingstone, Mackay, Fullerton, Gray, Shiach. Victoria United: Findlay; Kilgour, Thain; Gouick, Durie, Thomson; Riley, Tonner, Law, Runcie, Ritchie. Referee: Mr Gorman, Paisley.

Some excellent play was witnessed in the first half of the game, but the only scoring was that done by Fullarton for the Aberdeen. When the whistle blew the score stood: Aberdeen l, Victoria United 0. On resuming, play continued very fast, but so far as scoring went, the Aberdeen had again the best of matters, no fewer than other four goals being registered by them.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 26th December 1898

Vics are going from bad to worse as far as play is concerned. Aberdeen got their second win from the Blues by 5-0. Aberdeen turned out their usual team, Mackay taking Linton's place at inside right. It will take a good six weeks yet ere Linton can play again. Vics try another new forward in Law of Mugiemoss, who is entrusted with the centre position.
The opening saw some fine play. For the first fifteen minutes both teams gave a really grand exhibition. We have not seen the Torry lot put in anything like the same work for a long time, but at goal they were quite at sea. After that Aberdeen did as they liked. A perfect understanding exists amongst the whole eleven, and they play to one another in the finest manner possible. Good Old Whites. At the interval the Whites led by 1-0.

There was not a long rest. The homesters were confident as they now played down the incline. Aberdeen's play still kept up to a high standard, and their opponents had a hard time of it. There was no holding the Whites, and four goals were clapped on notwithstanding a stubborn defence. The game was too one-sided to be interesting, but a nice little comedy was acted on the stand. Two committee men - a Vic and an Orion had an argument on things in general, which turned the proceedings a bit. Then the referee had to be howled at for some of the fouls which, if they were infringements, were taken rather fine. An enthusiast yelled out - "Head the ba' man, head it wi' your belly "; for which remark he got a round of applause.
As time wore on, Aberdeen relaxed their efforts and were content to let the score remain as it was. A game which was by far too one-sided to be interesting finished: Aberdeen 5, Vics 0.

To criticise the play of the losers is useless; it was in most cases below criticism. Riley again indulged in too much fancy work and rarely made any ground. Tonner was best of a poor lot. Lachie Thomson best half. The backs rather poor. Findlay did some good things but got little support.
What can we say about the Whites? It is a rather difficult matter, when the whole team played so well. Joe Davidson at back is as dashy a player as ever. He did not give the opposing wing much chance if they got past the half. The Aberdeen halves are in rare fettle just now. It will take an exceptionally good forward line to beat them often. Forward the five played as one. Mackay, although his play is not so pretty to look at as Linton's, is equally effective. The others were as good as anyone could wish for. McConnochie at back did some good things, while Ritchie got little or nothing to do in goal. We congratulate the Aberdeen on their victory, and trust they will long keep up their present form.
The Vics' day will come, as the man said - It's a long lane that has no silver lining. The gate amounted to £22.

Source: Bon-Accord, 29th December 1898