Aberdeen 2 - 4 Dunfermline Athletic

Winning the toss, the Visitors had the sun and wind in their favour. Aberdeen kicked off and came away in good style, but Pitblado sent the ball well down the field towards the home goal, where a corner was forced. The kick was well taken, and Wood, lying handy, opened the scoring with a fine shot ere the game was well begun. From the kick-off the Whites dashed away, and like their opponents forced a corner, which, however, proved fruitless, and then let the visitors take up the aggressive. Sangster at this period was prominent with some fine defensive head-work, but try as they might the home team seemed unable to get the ball away, and at last when they did manage to do so, Johnston's parting shot was not inspiring, being both wide and high. The Athletic now pressed determinedly, and a foul against the locals looked dangerous, but MacGregor cleared and let the forwards have a try for the equaliser. The visitors, however kept a capital defence, and easily repelled any of the fitful attacks of the home quintette. Both Strang and Johnstone had capital tries for goal but the crossbar and Thomson barred the way to the net. It was woeful to see some of the attempts by J. Mackie for goal, and the rest of the forwards' play suffered on account of his disappointing play. Vale the opposing back was having a perfect picnic, and quite appreciated it. At last the equaliser came, and a good shot from Mackay brought this about - the Visitors' custodian having no chance to save. Dunfermline at once set themselves to get the lead, and Dewar had a good try which just missed. A minute later, however, this same player heat Barrett after a fine individual effort. The goalkeeper alone knows best why this point was scored, as the general opinion was that it was an easy shot that beat him, besides which, he made no attempt at a save. The Whites from then on till half time fell away, and it was no surprise to the spectators whan Wood scored his second and Dunfermline's third goal. The interval found the homesters two goals down. With the wind and sun in their favour it was expected the Aberdeen would a least draw level, and from the start they seemed determined to do so, but the Athletics were wisely content to defend their goal seeing that they has such a good lead. After the Whites had about ten minutes hard pressing, the visitors' forwards broke away and a soft shot from Strang found the net, MacGregor seemingly allowing the ball to go through the goal. The home forwards' play continued to be very ragged and disjointed, while the visitors' defence continued to be very sound. At last, however, McAulay headed a second point from a corner, this success being greeted with wild cheering. Midfield play was the rule for a time, and then Willox stopped a dangerous rush by the Athletics. Both Barrett and Thomson were called upon in succession to defend their goal, and this both keepers did as required. Nearing the end, the homesters put in another effort to further reduce the leeway, but all to no purpose, so Dunfermline ran out well deserved winners by two goals.

Source: Bon-Accord August 27 1903

Points from Pittodrie.

The fine weather had a lot to do with the big crowd coming again to Pittodrie.
The amount drawn at the gates, £90, although not quite as large as the previous week, is very good. The stands were well patronised.
If better displays are not given, then there will be a greater falling off than £16.
One point for two matches does not look well in print or anywhere else.
What if the Aberdeen had been allowed into the First League? We shudder to think of it.
On Saturday's play they fully deserved to lose, being outplayed and outgeneralled at every point.
Combination is still a lost art to the Aberdeen.
Barrett did not get much to do, but he did that little very badly.
The backs were none too safe, taken as a pair, although Willox tackled and kicked in great style.
MacGregor proved himself a drawback more than a right back.
The halves wandered too much, and were never at their places. Strang was the best of the trio, while Sangster began well, but fell off considerably. We would like to see them have a try at "placing."
The forwards were the greatest shock of the team. We cannot imagine any of them playing a worse game. Thought is too dreadful.
Johnston did not confirm the good impression he made last week. His shooting was very bad.
MacAulay was disappointing last week, and more so this week, while Mackay was seldom seen.
J. Mackie has got one try for the new club, and we must hope it is the last. A few more ff such displays as this would be enough to kill football in Aberdeen. His partner C. Mackie did not get any support from him, and his play suffered in consequence.
Dunfermline are fortunate in having such a goalkeeper as Thomson. He is a grand one. The same remark applies to Pitblado as a back.
Vale could not be termed a fine back by any means, but he fairly frightened the forwards opposed to him. They gave him plenty of room and time to indulge in place kicks.
The visitors possess a fine set of hard working halves who know their respective places.
Their forwards were speedy and very accurate shots. Dewar and Wood were the pick.
As there is to be another league game at Pittodrie on Saturday, we hope the management will do what they can to put matters aright.
Personally, we don envy them in their task, but we so hope there is a big improvement by another week.
The team as a whole could practice shooting for goal with benefit.
Mr. Bowman, Montrose, refereed the game in quiet but decisive style, and his decisions were invariably correct, though not always to the liking of a certain section of the crowd.

N.

Played at Pittodrie Park before an encouraging attendance of spectators. Teams: Dunfermline Athletic: Thomson; Pitbaldo, Vale; Strang, Innes, Anderson; Dewar, McLeod, Wood, Clark, Moffat. Aberdeen: Barrett; McGregor, Willox; Sangster, Strang, Ritchie; J. Mackie, C. Mackie, Mackay, McAuley, Johnston.

Aberdeen kicked off against the wind and sun, and made tracks for Dunfermline's goal, but the ball was transferred to the other end, and Wood scored from a corner. Aberdeen then pressed. Johnston had a fine run, but the shot went over the bar. The Dunfermline defence was solid Aberdeen got down, and Johnstone had a fine shot, which Thomson cleared brilliantly. Three successive corners followed. Strang kicked the ball, striking the bar. Play remained at the upper end, and McAuley missed an open goal. Aberdeen pressed continuously, but could not score. After a skirmish McKay equalised. Aberdeen still forced matters, but Dunfermline got down, and Dewar scored, Barret making no attempt to save. Dunfermline soon afterwards, through Wood, notched a third. Half-time: Dunfermline, 3; Aberdeen, 1.

On resuming, Aberdeen took the ball to the Dunfermline end and Sangster had a try. Play remained in the vicinity of the visitors' citadel but Dunfermline got to the other end, and Strang scored a fourth goal. Aberdeen attacked, and Thomson had to save twice in rapid succession. From a. rush by Aberdeen, Johnston just missed the goal. Aberdeen pressed hard and Strang (Dunfermline) headed the ball through. Dunfermline pressed, but without result. C. Mackie had a try, but the ball went past. Towards the finish Aberdeen pressed, and C. Mackie shot high over the cross-bar. Aberdeen pressed hard, but failed to score.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 24th August 1903