Albion Rovers 0 - 2 Aberdeen

Five thousand spectators were at Cliftonhill Park, Coatbridge, and watched the Albion Roversgive one of their poorest displays of the season. Three changes had been made in an effort to stop a series of defeats, but, apart from Ribchester, who was their best forward, the Rovers' attack was very moderate. This was, no doubt, due to the destructive work of the Aberdeen middle line, along with the fine tackling and kicking of the Northern backs, who were all but unbeatable. There was no score up to the interval, but shortly after resuming Miller scored a fine goal with his head after the ball had twice crossed in front of Kerr. Three minutes from the close the same player added a second, and Aberdeen won comfortably 2-0. The Rovers had as much of the game as the winners but their attacking line was very weak, and failed to carry on beyond the hefty rear rank of Aberdeen. The winners were finely served by Middleton, who was the best forward on the field.

Source: The Scotsman, 7th November 1921

Maintaining their recent improvement, Aberdeen accomplished a smart performance at Coatbridge, where they defeated Albion Rovers under Scottish League auspices by 2 goals 0. There was no scoring in the first half during which the teams proved to be well matched, the game developing into a defensive duel, from which the respective rear divisions had considerable credit, and a blank score-sheet at the interval accurately reflected what the game was worth. In the second half, Aberdeen asserted their superiority in unmistakable fashion, and during the last twenty minutes of the game at any rate they had matters pretty much their own way. The opening of the scoring was delayed until ten minutes alter the interval, when Thomson running in caught a return by Bainbridge to head the ball past Kerr. After that, Aberdeen never looked back, and although the Rovers were often dangerous, it could not be said Aberdeen ever looked like losing the lead, so firm a grip did the half-backs keep on the Rovers' dashing but disjointed attack. With fifteen minutes to go Miller met a weak clearance by McSkimming to neatly place the ball out of Kerr's reach, and the issue beyond doubt. In the closing minutes the play entirely favoured Aberdeen, Miller in particular coming near to increasing the lead on three occasions with surprise shots.

Hard, Clean Play.

Throughout it was always a hard, clean game. In the first half, Ribchester's crosses kept the Aberdeen defence busy, but there was a lack of shooting power on the part of the home forwards. On the other hand, Middleton's play on the Aberdeen right wing frequently had the Rovers' goal in danger, but a spirited defence kept his work from being improved upon. Aberdeen's great superiority at half-back was really the deciding factor in the game. They smashed up all the attacks of the home forwards, and even when their vigilance was eluded, Hutton and Grosert were equal to all calls made upon them.
On the Aberdeen side all the defence were seen to advantage and Middleton and Thomson carried off the forward honours in a side that showed much the better understanding.
For the Rovers, Penman and McColgan defended valiantly, but the half-backs were weak, and of little assistance to a forward line which was not lacking in collective dash, but showed little combination, and Ribchester, who was their best, was not well supported. The attendance at the game was only 5000.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 7th November 1921