Peterhead 1 - 1 Aberdeen

These teams tried conclusions in the Recreation Grounds, Peterhead, on Saturday afternoon, in presence of a large crowd of spectators. The teams were represented as follows:- Aberdeen: Ritchie; Brebner, Hannah; Ritchie, Thomson, Robertson; Freeland, Wilson, Murphy, Shiach, Gordon. Peterhead: Milne; Robertson, Shand; Ross, Davidson, McDonald; Buchan, Munro, McEachran, Thomson, Baxter.

Peterhead kicked off, and at once settled down to hard work. Some fine passing by McEachran and Thomson looked promising, but the ball went wide of its mark. The strangers transferred play, but the Reds' soon sent them to the right about again. The Aberdeen front rank attacked with vigour, and Wilson sent the ball smartly towards Milne, who just managed to clear. For a time after this play was confined to midfield, but Buchan broke the spell by a dash to the strangers' territory, and the Peterhead forced two corners in succession, which proved fruitless. Aberdeen got well down the field, and a rare chance came the way of Thomson, but he misjudged his kick, and the leather went behind. For a time after this the local players had by far the best of the game, but they experienced very hard lines. Ritchie was called upon several times to save his charge, but he was always in the right place at the right time, and score the "locals" could not, no matter how they tried. Aberdeen changed the venue of play and forced a corner, which resulted in Murphy sending in a shot from the left, which Milne failed to save. From the centre of the field the "Reds" got well away, and some smart work on the part of McEachran and Thomson brought out Ritchie, but that clever goalkeeper saved again in capital style. Another good chance came the way of Aberdeen, but Shiach shot over the uprights. Returning to the charge, the "locals" made strenuous attempts to equalise, and were awarded a foul within the penalty line. Buchan took the kick, but he failed to score. Shortly after this the whistle blew for half-time.

On resuming, the Peterhead players went into the game for all they were worth, Thomson, Robertson, McEachran, Buchan, and Ross, all playing with great dash and determination. Time and again Ritchie was called upon to guard his citadel, but the manner in which he saved was marvellous, and the hearty cheers of the spectators demonstrated that he was the hero of the field. About ten minutes form the finish of the game, Peterhead was awarded a penalty kick, and Robertson landed the ball in the net amid great enthusiasm. The strangers tried hard to score, but to no account, and a very exciting and interesting match ended in a draw.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 7th March 1904