Heart of Midlothian 4 - 3 Aberdeen

Goal-scoring was the feature of the North Eastern Cup tie at Tynecastle, Edinburgh, on Saturday, when heart of Midlothian defeated Aberdeen by 4 goals to 3. A crowd of 12,000 witnessed a game, and the drawings amounted to £270.

From the offset play was of a fast nature, and although hearts were early the aggressors, Aberdeen were first to score. A break-away by McIntosh and the Hearts defence in difficulties, and Main, rushing in, crashed through the opening goal. Numerous free kicks fell to the lot of Hearts, and from these the Aberdeen goal was repeatedly in jeopardy. After consistent pressure by the home team, and following upon another free kick, hearts equalised through McLaren. Even play succeeded. Hearts played the neater and the trickier football, and Aberdeen's game, if anything, was over more forceful nature than usual, with the result that the side was frequently penalised for fouls. Nellies, Walker, and Abrams on the Hearts' left provided some really grand football, and the Aberdeen defence were sorely tried in preventing further scoring. Wilson and Hannah were ever where the game was hardest fought, and frequently the required Wyllie and Hume to assist them out of difficulties. At times Hannah is tackling was of the robust order, and frequently his side was penalised for his methods. Through Main, Neilson, and McIntosh, Aberdeen made many incursions upon Hearts' territory, but they encountered stout opposition, and Allan was seldom tested. Near the interval the Hearts' forward line executed a pretty combined movement, which was equally well frustrated by the Aberdeen defence. Nellies had a shot which struck the upright. Sinclair caught the rebound, and King saved superbly. Again Sinclair got possession, and King got the ball away through a crowd of players. There was no further scoring, however.

The stirring times before the interval were succeeded after the respite by equally exciting play. Hearts, first on the aggressive, kept the Aberdeen defence steadily on the move. The attacked with great vigour, and there were many exciting passages of play inside the visitors' penalty area. McLaren had a shot which struck an Aberdeen defender and went for a corner. The ball was well placed from the flag, and Mercer headed through the leading goal for the home team. Aberdeen retaliated strongly after this. Soye, after a fine run, centred nicely, and McIntosh made a creditable effort at scoring, the ball going high. Hearts were repeatedly dangerous after this, and Abrams especially was prominent with pretty work from the corner flag. There were many exciting passages of play, and if Aberdeen were kept busy on the defensive, their forwards never lost a chance to make ground. Main and McIntosh often harassed the Hearts defence, but their efforts were unequal to scoring. A corner well placed by Abrams led to another hearts goal, Mercer heading through. Another goal followed quickly. Hannah brought down the Hearts' left winger and the penalty area, and Abrams taking the kick, scored. With the three goal lead, victory seemed assured for Hearts', but Aberdeen played with great pluck.

AN ABERDEEN REVIVAL

The whole side was full of running, and even although so far in the leeway, the almost snatched the match from the fire. Good work by the Aberdeen left led up to their second goal. Wood and Neilson manoeuvred beautifully, and Main catching the ball on the run, scored a really pretty goal. Thus heartened, Aberdeen played up with much vigour. As one man, the team attacked, and under the pressure the Hearts' defence wavered. The half-backs and forwards all worked in Unison for a goal, and this Wilson obtained from close range. With a good chance of drawing the game, Aberdeen sustained the pressure. Just on time, Main and McIntosh walked down on the Hearts' goal, and by the nearest piece of luck the ball rebounded off Allan into play, and just as the whistle blew Aberdeen were thwarted of drawing level.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 11th September 1911