The Aberdeen 1 - 0 Orion

The replay in the semi-final of the Charity Cup tie between Aberdeen and Orion took place yesterday evening at Central Park. The weather was all that could be desired, and the ground in excellent condition. On the last occasion that the teams met both scored one goal; and, consequently, there was unusual interest in the result of the replay. There was a good attendance of spectators when the teams lined up as follows: Aberdeen: Ritchie; Maconnachie, Mackie; Cameron, Henderson, Thomson; Livingstone, MacKay, Fullerton, Gray, Shiach. Orion: Watson; Ross, Craig; Wilson, Low, Currie; McPherson, Grant, Webster, Kane, Hogg. Referee: Mr Henry, Linthouse.

The Aberdeen won the toss and Orion kicked off uphill. The Whites at once began to press, but the ball was intercepted, and play ruled in midfield for a time. The Aberdeen still continued to have the best of matters, however, and forced two corners in quick succession, both of which proved fruitless. The Whites, however, were not to be denied, and from a scrimmage near the Stripes' goal, Ross kicked the ball through his own goal. Nettled at this reverse, the Stripes now strove hard to equalise, but the home backs relieved, and a spell of midfield play ensued. Another corner to the home team resulted in nothing; and a foul against the Whites let the Orion up. McPherson sent in a dangerous shot, which Ritchie managed to clear. From a run up the left wing Hogg centred beautifully, but the ball was headed over. The Whites again took up the running, and forced a corner, but Watson cleared, and play was transferred to the other end of the field, where Grant sent in a terrific shot, which missed by inches. The battle now raged from end to end, but neither side could score. The Orion had several times hard lines in not scoring. The half-time whistle blew with the scores: Aberdeen, 1 goal; Orion, nil.

On the restart, the Whites got down, but the ball went behind. From a run down the field by the Stripes, Webster sent in a swift shot which compelled Ritchie to use his hands. A corner to the home team resulted in nothing, and play was transferred to the other end of the field. The Whites, however, were soon surrounding Watson, but could not score, the ball going anywhere but into the net. The Orion now took up the running, and with an open goal before him, Webster failed to Score. End to end play followed, the game becoming very fast. The Orion still kept up the pressure, and forced a corner, but Mackie, who was playing a splendid game, cleared, in fine style. The ball, was soon hovering around the home goal again. Low sent in a dangerous shot, which just missed. The Orion still continued to strive hard for the equalising goal, but missed several chances of scoring. After a run up the field by the Whites, the Stripes again got possession of the ball, and from a rush down the left wing, McPherson shot strongly for goal, but Ritchie was all there, and punted the ball out of danger. At this stage play was confined almost entirely to the home territory, but try as they could the Stripes could not get the ball past Ritchie; and a keenly-contested, game, ended in favour of the homesters.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 5th November 1899