The Aberdeen 2 - 2 Orion

These teams met at Pittodrie Park on Saturday in a Northern League fixture. There was a large crowd of spectators. Orion were handicapped by the loss of Watson, who, as a reservist, has been called out for service in South Africa, while Kane, who is to follow suit, played his last game for the Stripes this season. The teams were as follows: Orion: Douglas; Strang, Ross; Currie, Livingstone, Craigmyle; Stewart, Flynn, Grant, Kane, Hogg. Aberdeen: Bisset; Mackie, Douglas (2); Cameron, Henderson, Thomson; Mackie, Wilson. Fullerton, Gray, Shiach. At the start of the first half the play was pretty equally divided, but latterly the Whites put on a sprint, with the result that before half-time they had succeeded in netting the ball. A vigorous attack was kept up by the Orion.

When play was resumed, and be¬fore many minutes had passed, Hogg had started the scoring for the visitors, while Stewart sometime afterwards headed in a second goal. Before the finish, however, the Aberdeen equalised, and the game ended: Aberdeen, 2; Orion, 2.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 16th October 1899

The league game between the Aberdeen and Orion was of a very tame order and devoid of all excitement. The Whites' supporters expected their team to win, seeing they were playing at home. They had, however, to be content with a rather lucky draw - for them. The Orion were leading to within a few minutes of the finish, when they had a foul awarded against them close on the penalty line, from which the Aberdeen succeeded in scoring the equalising goal in the softest manner possible.
Watson having answered the "call to arms" to again fight for his country, was absent from the ranks of the Stripes. His place was taken by Douglas of the East End, who did some smart saving. He is, however, built on rather small lines, but has a good style and should blossom into a class custodian. Strang and Ross showed up well at back, the former putting in some powerful kicking. Craig was the best of the half-back line, and ought to be given his place. Livingston's display was a mixture of leap-frog and football. He went jumping all over the field, and showed very little judgment in placing the ball to his forwards. There was a decided improvement in Currie's play, some of his touches reminding one of his palmy days. Stewart and Flynn made a very tricky right-wing, but would be none the worse of a little more dash. Grant never got an opportunity to shine at centre, being too closely watched by Henderson. Kane and Hogg were the most effective of the forwards. The goal scored by "Geordie " was a beauty.
For the Aberdeen, Bisset, in goal, was very fluky, some of his saving being of the most clumsy description. "Fairmer" Mackie was about the best back on the field, his kicking and tackling being a treat. He was ably supported by Douglas, who also played a strong game. The halves were good, Henderson being perhaps the best. Thomson should stop that nasty trick he has of pushing with his hands. Shiach and Fullarton were the pick of the forwards, and were the means of scoring both the goals. The less said about Wilson's display the better. He evidently mistook the colour of his shirt. The referee was not very watchful, many things escaping his notice.

Source: Bon-Accord, 19th October 1899