The Aberdeen 3 - 1 Stenhousemuir

The visit of Stenhousemuir (the Qualifying Cup holders) was the means of bringing a large crowd to PittodriePark yesterday afternoon, where the team engaged with the aberdeen in a friendly match. The players were:- Stenhousemuir: Stoddart; McBride, Mirk; Silcock, McIntosh, Weir; McNair, Pollock, Young, Gibb, Russell. Aberdeen: Findlay; O'Brien, Dakers; Sangster, Thomson, Robertson; Brash, C. Mackie, J. Mackie, H. Brown, A. Davidson. Mr. Cable, Aberdeen, was referee.

The opening stages were fairly evenly contested, both goals being visited in rapid succession. A few minutes after the commencement, however, from a scrimmage in front of the Aberdeen goal, Silcock shot strongly into the net. On the restart, Aberdeen pressed, and from a fine run down the right wing, C. Mackie equalised with a beautiful shot. Aberdeen continued to show splendid form, and the visitors had to assume the defensive for a time. At last success again attended the efforts of the Aberdeen forwards, Brown sending in a long high shot, which landed in the far corner of the net. Stoddart evidently hought the ball had gone over, and made no attempt to save.

On resuming, the Aberdeen got down, but the ball went out. After a spell of end-to-end play, Brash, from the right wing, sent across a hot shot. Stoddart saved, but failed to get the ball sufficiently away, and Davidson, rushing up, sent it into the net. The visitors showed some fine combination, but their shooting at goal was rather weak. By fine passing tactics, the homesters again got into close quarters, and Brown shot straight into the net. The referee, however, disallowed the point, ruling offside. During the rest of the second half an ellement of roughness crept into the game, and several hard knocks were exchanged. A keenly contested game ended in favour of the homesters.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 2nd January 1902