Aberdeen 1 - 0 Dumbarton

Aberdeen's victory over Dumbarton at Pittodrie Park was not so great as the majority of over 16,000 spectators had expected, but it served. It was four minutes from the interval before the scoring took place, and it was the result of Thomson, inside right, seizing an opportunity at close quarters. It was to King's credit as a custodian that Aberdeen's margin of goals was not increased when they had the aid of a strong south-easterly wind in the second half.

Source: The Scotsman, 30th January 1922

There not a great deal to enthuse over at Pittodrie where, if only by the solitary goal of the match, Aberdeen were deserving enough winners over Dumbarton. On a bitterly cold afternoon the conditions were anything but favourable either for players or spectators. A south easterly rain laden wind blew down the field, and with the ground in a heavy state, if improved by liberal treatment with sand, accurate movement was not to expected. It was always a hard, stern struggle in which Aberdeen generally held the upper hand, and they were pushed to win by a rather softly conceded goal, the victory went to the side that forced the game, and was more deserving.
In the first half Dumbarton had a big advantage from the elements, but their goal was first in danger. Twice in the first minute Aberdeen came near to converting off crosses by Middleton, but Miller and Rankine just missing with first-time efforts. King saved a fast drive by Miller, and later, after outwitting three opponents, the Aberdeen centre-forward shot narrowly over. For a time the game partook of the nature of a defensive duel, the rear divisions of both sides accounting for clever work. Flag-kicks at each end were fairly frequent. King saved well from Milne, but later, for a spell, play centred near the Aberdeen goal without Blackwell being seriously tested. McEwen lost a fine opportunity when lying unmarked but failed to gather the ball, and got no second chance.

The Only Goal.

Four minutes from the interval Aberdeen took the lead. Field was penalised for a foul on Miller, and from the free kick Thomson got possession a few yards from King. At first the Aberdeen forward failed to gather, but recovered and legged the ball towards goal. It struck Henderson on the thigh and was deflected into the net off King's knee.
With the gale in their favour in the second half Aberdeen early setup a sustained attack on the Dumbarton goal, but so skilfully did King, Colman, and Henderson defend that, repeated onslaughts were warded off. King kicked away from Miller, and Thomson had good tries parried by the Dumbarton keeper. On one occasion Middleton sent the ball against the crossbar, and on another Bainbridge skied badly from close range. Dashes by Wood and the Dumbarton right wing occasionally brought relief, and on two occasions Forsyth and Hutton were cheered for fine clearances when threatened by the visitors' right wing near the home goal. Milne, Miller, Wright, and Thomson all tested King, but he was equal to all calls made upon him. The Dumbarton attack was seldom in the picture and throughout the period Blackwell did not have to handle a single direct shot, so thoroughly did his colleagues hold the Dumbarton attack. Near the finish Aberdeen appealed for a penalty kick when Thomson appeared to be illegitimately brought down, but the referee, after consulting one of the linesmen, disallowed the claim. If there were short periods when Dumbarton attacked strongly, the game was always more or less a duel between the Aberdeen attack and the Dumbarton defence, the members of which stood up well. Outstanding tor Dumbarton were King, Colman, Henderson, Loney, and Wood, and for Aberdeen Hutton, Forsyth, MacLachlan, Milne, Thomson, and Miller. The attendance was 16,000, and the receipts amounted to £929.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 30th January 1922