The Aberdeen 1 - 7 Victoria United

Beautiful weather and a fine ground favoured the final of the Aberdeenshire Cup [actually the Charity Cup Ed.] competition between Aberdeen and Victoria United at Cattofield. There was a large crowd when the teams lined up as follows: Victoria United: Findlay; Kilgour, Thain; Dundas, Fraser, Thomson; McHardy, Gardiner, Watson, Taylor, Ritchie.
Aberdeen: Ritchie; McConnachie, Mackie: Cameron, Henderson, Thomson; Livingstone, Mackay, Fullerton, Gray, Shiach.
Referee: Mr Blair, Glasgow.

Aberdeen won the toss, and the Vics, kicked off towards Cattofield Place. The visitors at once forced the pace, and Ritchie crossed to Taylor, who beat the Aberdeen custodian in the first minute. This at once infused spirit and interest into the game. Luck, however, was with the Blues: and, as the result of a severe pressure, Ritchie again centred, and Taylor notched number two for his side. Nettled at this result, the Whites strove frantically to reduce the lead, and for a space they swarmed in, determined fashion round the Blues' goal. The defence was sound, however, and Ritchie brought relief to his aide by a run up the left. He centred, and, after a scramble in front of Ritchie, Dundas scored a third goal. The success on the parts of the Vics, was popular with the crowd; but when Ritchie scored the fourth from a pass by Taylor there was great shouting in the Vics' camp. Things, indeed, looked desperate for the Whites, and when Gardiner added a fifth from a good centre by Ritchie, the hopes of the Aberdeen supporters fell to zero. But worse was to follow; and when after a spell of pressure by the Aberdeen, and an offside goal by Livingstone, Watson scored a sixth and McHardy scored a seventh, all hopes of the cup vanished. In the first half, though the Blues still pressed, no more scoring took place. Half-time resulted: Victoria United 7, Aberdeen 0.

On resuming, Aberdeen had to face a forlorn hope. Still a game of football is never lost till the whistle blows; and the Whites set about their difficult task with determination. The forwards, however, never seemed to get going properly: and the attack was always disjointed and the opportunities few. Mackie at back was playing a fine game, however, and by his kicking and tackling demonstrated that he has found his place. The game wore on in a haphazard fashion, neither side showing up brilliantly, but at last, from a penalty well on in the game, Mackie scored. Encouraged by this success, the Whites strove hard for more goals, but the shoot¬ing was badly directed and ultimately a poor game ended: Victoria United 7, Aberdeen 1.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 8th May 1899

The uncertainty of football was never better illustrated than on Saturday, when the Vics and Aberdeen met in the final for the Charity Cup. On Thursday the Aberdeen had given the Orion, a team stale from overwork, their quietus, and few, if any, of their supporters doubted but what they would treat the Vics in a like manner. "Charity coverth a multitude of sins" it is said. Well for our part we forgive the teams, or should we say team, for their display of Saturday. Had the spectators had an inkling of what they were to be treated to, the gate, instead of being counted by thousands, could have been numbered by hundreds. The result will do the Vics a deal of good - what effect it will have on the Aberdeen we do not presume to say. The Vics have been a much maligned team this season - but not without reason - and as we have done our share of the hard criticism going about, we, in common with their supporters, hope that with the winning of the Charity Cup, brighter and more prosperous days are in store for the wearers of the Blue.

Source: Bon-Accord, 11th May 1899