Aberdeen 2 - 0 Albion Rovers

Aberdeen and Albion Rovers met at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen, before 10,000 spectators, and the gate money, exclusive of tax, amounted to £240. In the first half Aberdeen had much the better of the exchanges, and for the most part the Rovers were confined to the defensive. The Coatbridge goal had many escapes, and Brittain effected some fine saves before Miller scored from a cross by Hutton, at the end of 37 minutes.
In the second half Aberdeen soon increased their lead, Rankine heading through following a corner kick by Bainbridge. The balance of play continued in favour of Aberdeen, but the Rovers' attack was slightly more in evidence, Blackwell saving well from Reid and Kirk. Aberdeen deserved their victory.

Source: The Scotsman, 23rd March 1922

Aberdeen made considerable headway their attempt to fortify the club's position in the First Division last night, when Albion Rovers were beaten by 2 goals 0. There were 10,000 spectators, and these were treated to what was at times a clever display of football?by Aberdeen. It took them 38 minutes to locate the Rovers' goal, but previous to that it had numerous narrow escapes, Brittain in goal had performed very creditably. The first count came after Hutton worked the ball up the field and sent over a cross which Miller cleverly first-timed into the net. Subsequently Aberdeen exerted strong pressure, the monotony of which was broken by bursts by the Coatbridge forwards, who, however, were rather easily baulked by the home defence.

Never Fault.

The second half was only minutes old when Aberdeen increased the lea. Bainbridge placed nicely from a flag kick, and Middleton lifted the ball back in front of goal for Rankine to head through. After that the Rovers' defence withstood sustained periods of aggression by Aberdeen, and while Brlttain did well to save many excellent shots, there were occasions when balls passed just wide or high of the mark. Skilfully led by Reid, the Rovers' attack was spirited, and on the few favourable opportunities presented they caused Blackwell some anxiety, the custodian having several fine saves, notably from Reid, and Walls, the latter off a free kick. Still, the issue was never really in doubt, and the fact that Aberdeen occasionally lapsed into exhibition play after the game had been well won reflected the confidence with which they played.

Critical Comments.

Blackwell had not a great deal to get through, but the work that came his way was always of a dangerous character, and the confidence with which he dealt with high and low shots alike reflected his all-round abilities. Hutton and Forsyth were both stout defenders, who covered each other well, and they tackled splendidly. Hutton's centre which led to the opening goal reflected that they did not always kick at random.
The home half-backs, as usual, were a big factor, and they were ably assisted by two hard working inside forwards. Wright took the eye with some pretty spectacular touches and ground passing. Milne was much more than a destructive host, although his passes were not always models of accuracy. In the first half, he executed a brilliant dribble, which elicited merited applause, but one of the best constructive pieces of play for which he was responsible was supplied in the second half, when he neatly slipped the ball up the centre for Miller to deliver a terrific shot, which the Coatbridge 'keeper did well to clear, even at the second attempt. MacLachlan was always conspicuous in covering his colleagues, intelligent anticipation, and with some tackling and forcing play. It was this division that was responsible for cohesion never really being allowed to develop in the visitors' attack.
As the game went the home forwards played a conspicuous part, but they were not altogether models of consistency. Miller was always prominent in forcing the game, and with hard and accurate shooting, A trier all the time, he was unfortunate that he had only one goal to his credit, but often the ball came very awkwardly to him. Middleton and Bainbridge were both lively wingers. They forced the pace throughout, and invariably got the ball well across, this applying specially to Bainbridge, whose display was in every way creditable. In the inside positions Thomson and Rankine played effectively, their defects being occasionally reflected in occasional lapses of inaccurate passing. Throughout Aberdeen were not stretched, and their play in the closing period especially suggested they had the measure of the opposition.

Moderate Opposition.

Albion Rovers were only a moderately clever side. During short periods their forwards gave promise of good things, but they were only effective up to a point. Brittain showed much cleverness in goal. He made but one mistake, and that was in the first half, when, out of his goal, he allowed himself to be dispossessed but fortunately Penman was at hand to recover. The backs, Penman and McColgan, were shaky at times, but considering the work they had to get through, they did well to stand up as they did. Of the half-backs Walls was the most conspicuous, accounting, as did, for some good tackling and fine passes to his forwards. McSkimming was a hard-working pivot. In the attack Reid, at centre-forward, and Bennie, at outside-right, were most in evidence, but, the line suffered because of the amount of defending the men behind them had to get through. The margin of victory did not nearly reflect Aberdeen's superiority. There were 10,000 spectators.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 23rd March 1922