Aberdeen 2 - 3 Ellon United

A team representing the Aberdeen reserves met Ellon United at Pittodrie yesterday afternoon in a holiday fixture. There was a small attendance of spectators, mostly comprising holiday-makers from Ellon. The teams were:-

Aberdeen: Morley; McConnachie, Roberts; Park, JJ Simpson, William low; Skeet, Bray, Hay, Edgar, Scorgie.
Ellon:McCombie; Roberts, McKenzie; Cran, Watt, Lamont; Cowe, Coutts, Fraser, Alexander, Neilson.
Referee - Mr. Peter Simpson.

There was little in the opening stages of the game, but the strangers had pretty much the best of the exchange's. Morley had to exert himself occasionally, and after some good work by the two extreme wing men on the Ellon side Coutts opened the scoring, practically walking the ball into the net. The locals made strenuous efforts to draw level, and Hay and Scorgie both had several shots, which were nicely cleared by McCombie. Further attacking by Helen looked promising, Alexander missing the goal by inches, when a minute later Coutts had a good try, which was cleared by the custodian. Play was more or less of an end-to-end nature, in which the Aberdeen forwards displayed a good deal of wild kicking.

Ellon crossed over with their lead, but Aberdeen at once attacked. Bray got the ball at his foot a few yards from goal, but he banged straight at the custodian, and the situation was saved. A few minutes later Neilson worked up on the Ellon left, and, the forwards punching in front of goal, the visitors easily got their second point. Almost immediately the local men swept down, and the com be made the fatal mistake of leaving his charge, giving Hay an open goal, of which he did full advantage. There were periods of severe pressure at both ends, and chances went abegging frequently, but no mess was more palpable than that by Hay after he had easily got through the Ellon defence. The forward had only to place the ball in the net, but he made an extraordinary effort, lifting the leather high over the bar. Well on in the half Ellon attacked strongly, and a hot shot from Fraser was nicely blocked by Morley. A dangerous invasion by Aberdeen resulted in Skeet placing neatly in front of goal, but Edgar was blocked on the line by Roberts. Another run down by Aberdeen brought the equaliser, through Scorgie, who had an easy task with McCombie out of his goal. In the closing minutes, Ellon snatched victory by the odd Cole. A shot came in from Neilson on the left, and McConnachie in attempting to head out on the ball to run down his back. Roberts was handy, and popped the sphere into the net, giving Morley no chance to save.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 23rd April 1909