Aberdeen 1 - 0 Airdrie

Although the margin in their favour was so small, Aberdeen merited their victory over the Airdrieonians. The only goal of the match came for Aberdeen before five minutes of the second half had gone, Thomson scoring.

Source: The Scotsman, 6th December 1920

In a cold, raw afternoon there were fully 12,000 spectators at Pittodrie, where Aberdeen continued their upward climb by obtaining the only goal in a stiff encounter with Airdrieonians. In the matter of being well contested, the game was all that was anticipated it would be. Both teams certainly have played better football, but the high wind must be taken into account as a disturbing factor in the game, and as is frequently the case when two well-matched teams meet, the football did not touch the same standard as in a game wherein one side proves greatly superior to the other. But if the game was patchy for brilliance, it was one in which interest never flagged, and it was just as hard a struggle as one would wish to see. Sentiment and superstition count for much with many followers of football, and when George Anderson lost the toss and Aberdeen had to face their favourite end (King Street) at a disadvantage with the wind, there were headshakings amongst certain of the Pittodrie habitués. As events proved, however, Aberdeen showed in this game that they had no partiality for any particular goal, and in turn they played equally well and equally moderate in both periods of the game. It was only by the solitary goal that Aberdeen won, but their victory was none the less deserved. At different periods each held superiority over the other, but from the view points that the Airdrie goal was the oftener in danger, that Fotheringham had more to do than Anderson, and that the 'Onians never held such a superiority over Aberdeen the latter over them, more especially at the time the goal came along, the points went to the side that better deserved them. It is true that the visitors twice came within an ace of equalising in the closing stages, and it rather reflected their prowess that they failed, but measured by narrow escapes on the part of the goals, it was a game which Aberdeen deserved to win.<.br> Aberdeen's goal did come five minutes after the interval was well earned, the woodwork having been a good friend to Fotheringham. After cutting in, Flanagan hit the bottom of the upright, and that was immediately followed by Macdonald shaking the crossbar, and then with Fotheringham out of his charge, Thomson was on the scene and fairly banged the ball into the net.

Plenty of Incident.

If the first half was goal-less, it wat far from being without incident. Both goals were well visited, but had Aberdeen been a goal up at the crossing it would have been more than they deserved, considering the wind handicap. Apart from the good work performed by the goalkeepers, both teams had ample scoring opportunity, especially the visitors, who throughout showed an ineffectiveness at close quarters which did not tally with the record of the same formation when they were carrying all before them earlier in the season. On several occasions their centre forward, inside left, and outside left all failed at good opportunities. The Aberdeen misses, if equally numerous, were not so palpable, and the element of misfortune entered into their finishing efforts. Rankine in particular was unfortunate to hit the woodwork with an overhead try, and there were two occasions when he very cleverly turned the ball over from the left that his work was not improved upon. Against this, however, the home goal, too, enjoyed a little good luck. The circumstances of the goal I have already touched upon, and let it be said it came when Aberdeen's play most deserved it. Round about the time it was scored the Airdrie defence shaped like cracking up, but following the magnificent example of their goalkeeper, they rallied splendidly, and if a shade over-robust at times, they were stubborn, and the last half-hour saw as evenly matched a struggle as could have been wished. But tor Fotheringham Aberdeen could have increased their lead, fine shooting efforts by such as Rankine, and Flanaghan being well directed, and equally well saved by the custodian. On one occasion when Macdonald hit the crossbar and the goalkeeper was injured in a recovering save, there was a strong claim by Aberdeen that the ball had crossed the line, but the referee gave a free kick against the home team instead. Airdrieonians had two great chances to equalise near the finish. On one occasion Henderson was through the defence, but harassed, he shot weakly, and although the ball was some distance wide of him, Anderson saved finely. On the other occasion the visiting centre was left at close range with practically an open goal, but he belied his reputation as an opportunist by shooting wide. It was a game in which the winners had credit by their victory. There were times when their combination was not quite so good as that of the losers, but their dash was more effective, and the forwards had more punch, and they had a slight superiority at back.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 6th December 1920