Aberdeen 2 - 2 Dundee A

At Pittodrie on Saturday before 1500 spectators. Aberdeen team was composed of juniors, mostly local, the only senior playing being Toman. Teams:-

Aberdeen A: King; Hardie, Murphy; Anderson, Macfarlane, Thompson; Macpherson, Towns, Milliken, Sutherland, Toman.
Dundee A: Bernard; Dorward, Lorimer; Kennedy, Jaffray, Marnie; Scott, MacDonald, Currie, Philip, Jackson.
Referee - Mr. John Davidson, Arbroath. Aberdeen had the best of the game at the outset, and forced a corner, which proved abortive. A likely raid by Dundee was nullified on a counter offside being given. Milliken got possession, but kicked too far forward, and before he could make up to the ball, Bernard rushed out and kicked into touch. King had had very little to do so far, but he had now to deal with several difficult shots. From a return by Murphy, Toman got away, and had an excellent run along the touch line, his parting effort skimming the bar. A foul off Millikan let the Dundee forwards away again. An excellent return by Murphy enabled the Aberdeen forwards to force a corner off Bernard. From a place kick Currie run in, Macfarlane clearing by kicking into touch. The ball was ultimately sent past. Dundee had the upper hand for some time, but could not get the ball past King. A pot shot by Jaffray was well held by the custodian. Dundee started to bustle, and the ball was rushed down on King. The leather was scrambled through by half a dozen players. The local right wing were the cleverest players on the field. Many of their crosses were not taken advantage of by the other forwards. Bernard brought off a magnificent save from Sutherland, but was beaten to the world, when Macfarlane rattled the crossbar with a great drive. The game was fought out in mid-field until half-time arrived with Dundee and leading by one goal to nil.

The resumption saw Aberdeen pressing, Bernard saving from Toman. He, however, failed to clear his lines effectively, and Macfarlane, who had changed places with Milliken, equalised. A dangerous raid by Dundee was stopped in fine fashion by Murphy, who dribbled round Currie, and then cleared. The game drew exciting. Dundee's goal was left unprotected, but Dorward rushed across the field, and with a huge punt warded off the danger. The visiting forwards got going, and the local defenders had a warm 10 minutes. Philip put Dundee on the lead up with a rather lucky shot, and no one was more surprised than himself when the ball was picked out of the net. A fine run by McPherson and towns resulted in the form or squaring matters. Aberdeen now pressed for all they were worth, but a heavy shower of snow spoiled the game, which was being contested in a most exciting fashion. King was having a cold time of it, with the sleet blown full in his face. Aberdeen continued to have the best of the game until the end. Gate, £20.

Aberdeen's junior representatives have to be congratulated on their display. At times they simply bottled up the Dundee men, and only bad luck prevented them from scoring the winning goal. Judging by their smartness on the ball and the combination shown, it is difficult to believe but the team never played together before.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 27th April 1908

Aberdeen's Third String.

The new men trotted out at Pittodrie on Saturday to play a Northern League game against Dundee A proved a veritable surprise packet. They came from all, quarters, and their display was wonderful when we take into account the fact that most of them had known each other for the first time in the dressing-room. They tripped on to the field as a likely-looking lot, and soon set to business by romping round Dundee's defence in a manner none to their fancy. When Dundee did get eastwards, -they found a clever little back in Murphy, who got his toe in every time, and it was only a pure bit of luck that gave the Dens Park second string a goal before half time, and the point was open to dispute. It took only a few minutes for the locals to equalise once they got going, and the second period saw them at. their best. McPherson, from MacDuff, was being well fed by Towns, East End, with splendid results. Milliken, who hails from Thurso, was seen at his best at centre half; the time he was in the forward line did not bring out his best. Dundee's goalkeeper was the best man on his side and saved the situation time and again. All things considered, the third string gave a splendid account of themselves, and demonstrated that there is plenty of good local talent if properly encouraged to be picked up.

Source: Bon-Accord, 30th April 1908