The Aberdeen 6 - 3 Arbroath

The Aberdeen and Abroath teams met in thir return Northern League fixture at Pittodrie Park. Condiderable interest was taken in this match owing to the fact that both teams are running close together for the league championship. The teams were:- Arbroath: Murray; Hannah, Carrie; Mollison, McGlashan, Ford; Black, Middleton, Arford, Sinclair, Dilly. Aberdeen: Bisset; Douglas, Thomson; J. Mackie, Sangster, Brown; R. Mackay, A. Davidson, C. Mackie, Fullerton, Shiach. Mr. Neilson, Thornliebank, was referee.

Arbroath won the toss, and Aberdeen kicked off towards the sea against a slight easterly breeze. The homesters got in front of Murray at once, bt unfortunately the ball went out of play. Aberdeen still kept up the pressure, and, after some fine passing by the home forwards, C. Mackie oened the scoring within two minutes of the commencement of the game. Bisset was next visited, and Dilly tested him with a hot shot, but the home custodian cleared in fine style. The locals once more took up the running, and Shiach placed his side two up. Arbroath then played with great dash. By good passing tactics the visitors' forwards got through the home defence, and Middleton drove the ball past Bisset into the net. Aberdeen, however, replied almost immediately with another goal, Fullerton being responsible. Middleton again scored for Arbroath, but was clearly offside, and the referee disallowed the point.

Arbroath opened the secon half with great determination to reduce the leeway, and Dilly succeeded in getting past Bisset with a fast shot. Aberdeen again pressed, and forced a corner, from which Fullerton added a fourth goal. A few minutes later a third goal was obtained by Arbroath, and it looked as if they were going to equalise. Aberdeen, however, were not done yet, and Shiach put on a fifth goal. Almost immeditely a sixth gal fell to Aberdeen.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 18th March 1901

The Arbroath visit to the Granite City brought the Aberdeen team within nearer range of the League flag. The Maroons certainly didnot bargain for a two-to-one defeat, but really their play deserved something better. But the Aberdeen showed up well. Their confidence, their shooting, and thir dribbling were as good as anything seen this season. The "Red Lichties" are now almost out of the running.

Source: Dundee Courier, 18th March 1901