Victoria United 4 - 1 The Aberdeen

Aberdeen and Victoria United met in the first round at Central Park, before a large crowd. Neither team was at full strength, and Mr. Tom Robertson, Queen's Park, whistled out the following players:- Aberdeen: Ritchie; Moir, Ross; J. Mackie, Sangster, Thomson; Mackay, C. Mackie, Buchan, Paterson, Shiach. Victoria United: Murray; Kilgour, Craig; R. Ritchie, A. Murray, Robertson; Davidson, Duncan, Lindsay, Ferries, G. Ritchie.

Aberdeen kicked off and after some preliminary exchanges in midfield, the United invaded. A corner came to nothing, and the Whites retaliated. The Blues plied a steady pressure, and from a corner Murray headed through. Immediately after the kick-off, the home left wing carried the sphere down the field, and G. Ritchie shot a beautiful goal while on the run. Aberdeen roused themselves, and the forwards tried to break through, but were met with a stone-wall half-line. A prolonged siege was made on the Aberdeen goal, and it was no surprise when Ferries netted a third goal. Half-time was called with the Central Park men assailing Ritchie.

The second period opened quietly, and it was some time before excitement was raised. At length Aberdeen made a combined rush, and a melee ensued in front of the home sticks. Robertson kicked out clear, but Kilgour, making a fierce lunge at the sphere, drove it hard into his own goal. This imbued the Pittodrie men with more energy, and the game opened out a little, and fouls made their appearance. The United's play slackened, no doubt feeling satisfied with their lead. Aberdeen took advantage of this, and made several dangerous onslaughts on Murray. The Blues again forced the pace, and a fourth goal was added, and the Aberdeen seemed unable to raise a gallop. The United were all over their opponents, and time was called with the following result:- Victoria United, 4; Aberdeen, 1. The game was one-sided, and the outstanding players were - for the winners - Kilgour, Robertson, Lindsay, and G. and R. Ritchie. For Aberdeen the best were - Ritchie, Thomson, and C. Mackie.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 8th September 1902