St Johnstone 1 - 1 The Aberdeen

St Johnstone had Aberdeen as their opponents in a Northern League match on the Recreation Ground, Perth. The weather was fine, but a strong wind blew. The teams were - St Johnstone: Macpherson; Buchan, Curr; Arnott, Imrie, Brown; Blackburn, Cameron, Moir, Taylor, Peebles. Aberdeen: Bisset; Waker, Reid; Sangster, Thomson, Murphy; Goaters, Mackie, McDonald, Buchan, Shiach. Refereee - Mr. Baillie, Edinburgh.

Saints won the toss, and played towards the north goal. The start was sensational. From the kick-off the Saints forwards made off, and Moir was successful in passing the backs and sent the ball into the desired haven. The lead was of short duration, as the visitors immediately picked up the ball and Buchan sent past Macpherson. For a time play ruled in Aberdeen territory, and the game assumed a very mediocre description, and little good play was witnessed on either side. Play, however, ruled mostly in the Aberdeen quarter, but the Saints could not find the net. Mackie had an individual run down the field, and he only had Macpherson to beat. The latter rushed out, and Mackie in his eagerness to score shot wild. Peebles made a similar mistake at the other end. Each goal was visited in turn, but nothing of an exceptional nature took place, the custodians each being tested, but only to clear.

On the resumption the visitors pressed and forced a corner, but the defence prevailed and the leather was sent down the field, only to be returned a minute later. Mackie was not long in getting the leather again, and had a fine run up field, but when on the point of shooting tripped over the ball. Aberdeen had wakened up considerably from the fist half, and infused more spirit into the game, with the result that the home defence had always to be on the qui vive.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 13th April 1903