Aberdeen 1 - 2 Raith Rovers

Raith Rovers proved the better team in play as in finishing in the match against Aberdeen at Pittodrie Park, and fully deserved their 2 goals to 1 victory. Both teams found themselves considerably handicapped in playing on a snow-covered ground. It was only about an hour from the commencement of play, in a fair interval between the snow showers, that Mr T. Binnie, the Falkirk referee, decided that the match could proceed. Raith Rovers scored first through Dawson, who secured the ball on a rebound from Anderson, who had successfully negotiated a hard shot sent in by Archibald. The equaliser came from Thomson, Aberdeen's inside right. A minute afterwards J. Duncan put the Raith Rovers once more in the ascendency, and there the scoring finished. The best for Raith Rovers were Brown, Moyes, Collier, Archibald, and J. and T. Duncan; and for Aberdeen, who played below form, Anderson, Forsyth, MacLachlan, and Thomson.

Source: The Scotsman, 4th January 1922

In the concluding match of the series of holiday League games at Pittodrie yesterday, Aberdeen were beaten by Raith Rovers, the points going to the Kirkcaldy club by 2 goals to 1. The conditions were far from being suitable for football. There had been a heavy fall of snow during the forenoon, and it was only due to the great efforts of the ground staff in repeatedly clearing the lines that the referee was in a position to allow of the game being proceeded with. As it was, there was a thick coating of snow on the pitch, and with intermittent showers during the game and the intensely cold atmosphere, the conditions were favourable neither for players nor spectators. Under the circumstances, the players had to make best of things, and it can be said that Raith Rovers, by dint of their adapting themselves better to the conditions than the home team, were worthy winners. With few exceptions, they were nippier on the ball, and, all over, were a much more cohesive force than was Aberdeen. In the first half Aberdeen had the advantage from the elements, but with the attack not working very harmoniously, they did not shine when it came to a question of breaking down the solid defence of the Kirkcaldy team.

Archibald Outstanding.

Archibald, the ex-Pittodrie winger, had a big say in the deciding of the issue, for although not the actual scorer, both his team's goals were the immediate outcome of brilliant individual play by him. The conditions helped the player in possession and especially a player of the individually-inclined type, such as Archibald. At the end of fifteen minutes he broke away, and cutting towards goal, drove with great force. Anderson did well to save the shot, but the ball rebounded to the foot of Dawson, who easily scored. The Aberdeen goal came five minutes from the interval, when, following a corner kick. Thomson forced the ball past a crowd of players to beat Brown. At this stage, Morris, the visitors' centre-half, had to retire owing to injury, and while he was away, Archibald had another brilliant individual run, which culminated in his final shot being blocked, but J. Duncan caught the rebound, to give the Rovers the lead. Aberdeen finished the period without Rankine, who had to be treated for injury in the pavilion.

Home Players Disappoint.

The second half saw both teams again at full strength, but on the home side Rankine and Bainbridge changed places. Aberdeen forced the game at the start, and Brown had some good saves from Bainbridge, Miller, and Middleton, but later the Rovers again took up the attacking, their extreme wingers, and especially Archibald, keeping the home defence busy. On one occasion, Dawson again had the ball in the net, but the point was nullified, because of a hands' infringement. Throughout, Aberdeen never showed the same cohesion in their play as the visitors, who merited their narrow victory.
In the home goal Anderson had a deal of work get through, and did well under the circumstances. Forsyth was best of the other defenders, although MacLachlan and, at times, Wright were seen to advantage. The forwards did not work well together, Thomson alone playing to reputation. Miller was again unfortunate with shooting, but suffered from lack of opportunity and support. The Kirkcaldy team left a very favourable impression behind them. Their defence was sound and covered-up well, while the forwards accounted for some clever work considering the circumstances. Brown, Inglis, Moyes, and Collier, in defence, were always outstanding, and, in the attack Archibald was conspicuous and effective, and had a clever partner in Bauld. In the later stages Duncan, at outside-right, came away strongly, and Dawson, if obviously lacking in experience, performed creditably with the centre. The estimated attendance of 8000 was highly satisfactory considering the atmospheric conditions.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 4th January 1922