Dundee Wanderers 3 - 0 The Aberdeen

At Dundee. In the opening stages the strangers showed up poorly, and were seldom dangerous. After a quarter of an hour's play, the Wanderers scored, and though Ritchie performed admirably in goal, McDonald beat him for a second time before the interval. In the second half the play of the Aberdeen improved but they failed at goal. Graham put the issue beyond doubt, and the Wanderers won by 3 goals to 0.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 6th March 1899

Considerable interest centred in the Northern League encounter on Clepington Park between the Dundee Wanderers and Aberdeen, and despite the severe nature of the weather a large crowd turned out to witness the game. The teams were: Wanderers: Stewart; Robertson, Fergusson; Neave, Crawford, Allan; McInroy, Dorward, McDonald, Grahame, Williamson. Aberdeen: Ritchie; Davidson, McConnochie; Mackie, Henderson, "Jones"; Livingstone, Mackay, Fullerton, Gray, Shiach. Mr Black, Kirkcaldy, officiated as referee. The Wanderers won the toss, and the visitors had to kick off up the hill. The Wanderers bore down on Ritchie immediately, but Davidson relieved, and allowed his right wing to get off. Robertson kicked strongly down the field, and Williamson put in a beauty just a trifle too high. Erratic shooting spoiled several of the Aberdonians' opportunities, but the combination displayed was excellent. A foul just on the penalty line gave the maroons a good chance, but Ritchie was responsible for its being lost. A little later he was heartily cheered for saving a hard one from McDonald. The Dundee centre had rather hard lines a little later in not patting a point down to his credit. Stewart was paid one or two flying visits, but the attacks from the Granite City forwards lacked sting at first. Gradually, however, they got into their stride, and the home defence had an anxious time of it, Livingston on one occasion missing by inches. Crawford drew first blood for the home team, and a pretty piece of combination deservedly produced No. 2 from the head of McDonald. A corner was granted the visitors, but Fullerton put it through with his fist. The tactics pursued by the Aberdonians were by far cleaner than those of the home team, two bad foals being given off McDonald and Neave. Half-time result: Wanderers, 2 goals; Aberdeen, 0.

Restarting, Ritchie had two hard ones from McDonald to save. The Aberdeen forwards did not lie far enough down the field, with the result that the home backs always had plenty of time to relieve. The Wanderers had several attempts, but on each occasion their chances were spoiled by one or other of the players fouling. Shiach put in a beauty from the corner, but it unfortunately struck the uprights. Ritchie saved grandly, although surrounded on all sides by the Dundee forwards. The visiting team was now having a much larger say in the game, and shot after shot was rained into Stewart's charge, but none of them took effect. Grahame notched a rather soft point for the homesters after three of the whites had missed their kick. Luck was dead against Aberdeen, as when Livingstone was about to give the finishing touch to a pretty piece of play he slipped and fell. Desperately the Aberdonians strove to pierce the Wanderers' defence, but Fergusson and Robertson proved equal to all emergencies. Livingstone and Shiach were crippled, and this greatly handicapped their efforts.

Source: Dundee Courier, 6th March 1899

The Whites travelled south with a very strong eleven, and for the hardest of luck might have returned with the result different. The first half was pretty much in favour of the Wanderers, who at the interval led by 2-0. Work as they could, the Whites ailed to get past Stewart. Henderson got rather severely hurt, and was of little use to his side, although he kept on the field.

The second half found Aberdeen in better form. It was with difficulty they were kept from scoring. The Whites had the misfortune to lose Shiach some time before the finish, and the game ended in a win for Wanderers by 3-0.

The injuries to the players and the wretched play of the backs were accountable for the defeat. If Henry Ritchie had not been in brilliant form there is no saying what the score might have been. He received little or no support, and repeatedly cleared when goals seemed certain. It is very doubtful whether Henderson and Shiach will be able to play against the Vics on Saturday first.

Source: Bon-Accord, 9th March 1899