The Aberdeen 5 - 0 Victoria United

Beautiful weather, but a somewhat hard ground, favoured the match at Central Park between Aberdeen and Victoria United in the Northern League. The teams lined up as follows: Aberdeen: Ritchie; John Davidson, Joe Davidson; Mackie, Henderson, Thomson; Livingstone, Cameron, Fullerton, Gray, Shiach. Victoria United: Findlay; Kilgour, Thain; Mitchell, Durie, Thomson; Mann, Gardiner, Watson, Reilly, Ritchie. Referee Mr Baillie, St Bernards. The Vics had been successful in strengthening their front rank with two of the Gordon Highlanders who arrived in the city last Monday. A new centre forward took his place in the Blues' team in Watson, late of Elgin City, while Mann and Gardiner, the right wing, were two of the famous Army Cup team that did such signal service for the 1st Battalion of the Gordons several years ago. Mackay was an absentee from the Whites, his place being taken by Cameron. In the first half of the game the visitors had to act on the defensive, but the Whites were unable to pierce their defence more than once, and when the whistle blew, the score stood: Aberdeen, 1; Victoria United, 0. In the latter part of the game play was very fast. Livingstone opened the scoring for Aberdeen, and before the close other three goals were registered.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 6th February 1899

The Vics are doing their level best to get a good set of forwards. Watson, the Elgin City centre, and two of the Gay Gordons were included in the team. McHardy, their promising right winger, was absent. McKay of the Whites was also away. Both assisted the Varsity, fulfilling a promise given some time ago. Joe Davidson turned out at back, McConnachie standing down owing to the hard nature of the ground. We were astonished that nothing had been done to the pitch. A few cart loads of sand would have improved it greatly. Falls all through were very numerous, and a few rather severe ones were got by some of the players. Aberdeen played with fine dash, and had the hardest of lines in crossing over with a lead of only one goal.
The forwards found it difficult to keep their feet and in consequence the shooting was under usual form. Riley of the Blues had to leave the field, his knee being injured. He did not reappear. The Vics played a wonderfully good defensive game, Charlie Kilgour standing out prominently amongst his companions. Some of the Blues' supporters were confident their pets would pull off the game as they had the hill in their favour, and only a goal down.

The defence had to be reckoned with. The two Davidsons saved repeatedly, and the halves played with fine judgment. Good play by Gray gave Aberdeen their second goal; then the game was taken in hand by the Whites and some nice combined runs were indulged in. Vics did not often get dangerous. The want of a forward handicapped them, and the four they had were strangers to one another. Aberdeen increased their total to five before time was called. The game all through was one-sided. Aberdeen's forwards are going great guns. The left wing quite delighted the spectators by their pretty play. Fullerton at centre played finely in the second half. Livingston missed McKay, although Cameron was anything but poor.
Of the halves Henderson was brilliant. There is no roughness about his play, and he is very effective. Mackie and Thomson were both good. At back, Joe Davidson was a decided improvement on McConnachie's recent displays. John Davidson was in fine form, and the same may be said about Ritchie.
On the Vics' side, Findlay kept out some scorchers, and could not be blamed for the tall score. Kilgour was the most prominent man in the team. The amount of hard work he put in was wonderful. Durrie was the best half; Lachie Thomson not far behind ; but Mitchell is by far too slow. Watson was wonderfully good at centre. Gardiner has the football in him, and we will be astonished if he does not turn out a catch. A game or two should make him all right. The Aberdeen were much the better team all over and thoroughly deserved the win on play. The gate amounted to slightly over £24.

Source: Bon-Accord, 9th February 1898