The Aberdeen 0 - 2 Raith Rovers

The Aberdeen and Raith Rovers teams engaged in their return Northern League fixture at Pittodrie Park on Saturday afternoon. At the previous meeting of the season the game ended in a draw - two goals each. Owing to the fact that both teams were in the running for the championship, great interest was taken in the match, and a large turnout of spectators lined the ropes. The weather was bright and warm, and the pitch in splendid condition. Aberdeen were without O'Brien and C. Mackie. The teams were: Aberdeen: Bisset; J. Mackie, Dakers; Sangster, Thomson, Robertson; Inglis, Brash, Livingston, Davidson, Bruce. Raith Rovers: Oswald; Robertson, Denholm; Moddie, Morris, Grierson; Bell, Maxwell, Mackie, Anderson, Simpson. Mr. T. Forrest, Arbroath, was referee.

The Rovers won the toss, and Aberdeen kicked off towards the east end of the field. Aberdeen at once got down, and Oswald had to save a fine shot from the foot of Inglis in the first minute of the game. The visitors had next a look in, but the ball went out of play. The Rovers forced the first corner, but it proved fruitless. A blunder on the part of Dakers let the Rovers in, but Bisset saved amid great excitement. The game continued to be fairly evenly contested, although the visitors were the surer on the ball. Bruce presented the right wing with a splendid opportunity but it was muddled. Davidson had next a grand chance, but tripped before he managed to shoot. Aberdeen had a larger share of the play, but in their excitement to score the forwards blundered repeatedly. Half-time arrived without eiher team having scored.

On the restart, Aberdeen immediately got down, and Robertson shot past. From near midfield the Rovers got off in fine style. Mackie broke through the Aberdeen defence, and although there was no one in front of him except Bisset, he mssed by yards. Aberdeen, by good passing tactics, got down, and scored, but the referee disallowed the point, ruling offside. Mackie soon afterwards scored an offside goal for the Rovers. Aberdeen forced the play, and the Rovers goal had several narrow escapes. Towards the close the Rovers shoed a great improvement in their combination, and Simpson from the left wing scored a beautiful goal. Almost immediately afterwards Mackie scored a second goal for the Rovers. The homesters seemed to lose heart entirely after this, and their play deteriorated considerably. No further scoring took place, and one of the most keenly contested games witnessed at Pittodrie this season ended in favour of the Raith Rovers who are now practically the league champions.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 28th April 1902