The Aberdeen 6 - 0 Montrose

This League match was played in miserable weather at Pittodrie Park, before a handful of spectators. Teams:- Aberdeen: Bisset; O'Brien, Dakers; Sangster, Thomson, Robertson; Brash, C. Mackie, Livingstone, Davidson, J. Mackie. Montrose: White; Allan, Steele; Lamb, Bowman, Watt; Murray, Valentine, Clarke, Ingils, Dakers. Mr. Beddington, Victoria United, was referee.

Montrose won the toss, and Livingstone, for Aberdeen, kicked off. O'Brien received the return and J. Mackie came away with a run on the left. Bowman cleared a dangerous rush, but the Aberdeen held their ground, and a curling delivery found the net in a rather surprising fashion. White was off his guard, and thought the ball was going past. In this he was sadly mistaken. Montrose made quick reply and soon got down, but the defence of O'Brien was noteworthy. There was no delay on the part of the defence, and though Inglis and Dakers tried hard to force through, the Aberdeen backs ket their feet on the treacherous ground, and easily shook off the quintette when they got near the penalty line. Under the difficult conditions of play, the passing of the Aberdeen forwards was highly creditable. They were oftenest the attackers, and ten minutes from the start C. Mackie had secured a second goal. Montrose up to this point had shown absolutely no combination. A fine pass by Thomson was smartly taken up by C. Mackie, who charged through the backs and crossed before it was too late. White made an ineffectual clearance, and A. Davidson added number three before the game was 20 minutes old. Mackie had to leave the field from a kick received from Bowman. Despite this reduction in their fighting strength, Aberdeen kept the upper hand.

The reappearance of J. Mackie was greeted with hearty cheers. Aberdeen were now playing towards the city, and made the pace without a moment's delay.C. Mackie, Who had shown conspicuously good form in the opening period, was the first to land in concluding half. Driven back on their supports, Montrose elected to play a safe game of kicking into touch, and in this line of defence Bowman was most successful. Play was open and altogether lacking in merit. Montrose had to thank Dakers and Murray for what there was of forcible play on the part of the forwards, but it was seldom that even these players could make their way past the Aberdeen halves. Thomson added a fifth goal, added froma scrimmage when White was away from his charge. A sixth goal was scored by Aberdeen, the whole of the front line having a share in the credit. The five forwards crossed the goal line in a body and it was almost impossible to say who applied the finishing touch.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 30th December 1901