Aberdeen 1 - 2 Arbroath

In glorious weather, the Whites entertained the Arbroath at Pittodrie on Saturday in a Northern League fixture. There was large turn out of spectators to witness the struggle for points. The home team won the toss, and played towards the city, and it was not long before they had tested the Maroon's defence. McAulay was the first to seriously trouble them with a fine shot, which Palmer just turned to the side out of danger, and then Shinner followed this up with two fine tries which went skimming over the bar. Arbroath then had a look in, but not for long as Johnstone, getting away on the left, ended up a nice run by putting in a shot which took Palmer and his co-defenders all their time to hold out. This had the effect of making the Red Lichties buck up, but although doing splendid work in the open they were miserable at goal. Ritchie was twice tested, but the shots which were sent in were of the soft kind, and far from dangerous. Shinner then got away on the right and drove in a hard fast grounder, which was, however, luckily kicked out by an opposing back. Play from this on to half time was chiefly confined to midfield, there being nothing worthy of praise except a hard drive from Strang which found the wrong side of the net, although worthy of a better fate. At the interval, both teams were level, neither side having scored. On resuming, the Whites came away with a rush, and had hard lines in not opening the scoring. How McKay managed to lift the ball over the bar when standing under it requires some careful consideration. To make matters worse, MacGregor miskicked with the result that Black got off and scored with a lovely oblique shot which easily beat the home custodian. In reply to the encouraging shouts of the home crowd, the Aberdeen broke away and all but scored McKay driving the ball right into Palmer's hands when about three yards from goal. Play began to get a trifle rough, and Guild, the visitor's left inside, was laid low, but resumed after some attention to the hurt. At last the homesters equalised through Shinner from a scrimmage, and then the fight for the leading point began. Shortly after that the Whites were granted a penalty, but to the consternation of the home crowd, McAulay's shot was sent over the bar by Palmer. Towards the finish, the visitors broke away and scored the winning goal, and as there was no further scoring they ran out lucky winners by the odd goal.

Points from Pittodrie

The fine weather had a big say in the large crowd which gathered, and we are delighted to state that they enjoyed a hard fight.
No doubt a win for the Whites would have gone down well and would have been a fitting climax to the game, but fate decreed otherwise.
The Maroons have to thank Palmer, their custodian; for one point at least, as he gave a very fine exhibition.
Although without their regular pair of backs, yet we can safe1y assert that they were not missed, as Ferguson and Lindsay gave a capital display.
The visitors' halves were a good hard-working trio - Petrie and Arthur Murray being the pick. The latter got a grand reception on his coming on to the pitch from his many friends in Aberdeen. The front rank as a whole was not brilliant, but one thing they did know and that was where the goal was.
They did not get many chances, but those they did get were well utilised.
We only wish we could say the same of the home quintette.
Shinner and Johnstone were the best in the shooting art; while McAulay was also well up in this particular line.
If McKay in centre were to lie on the backs more, then we venture to assert that there would be less free kicking, to the opposing backs, while a surprise goal might turn up occasionally.
The halves were good and cannot possibly be blamed for the defeat.
Willox was far ahead of his partner, who still lacks speed for a back.
This was very evident when a bad miss of his cost his side a goal when with a good turn of speed the player might have been caught up.
Ritchie in goal had not much to do, but what he did get to do was of the unsaveable order.
With regard to the referee we can only say with the crowd that some of his decisions were very queer.

Source: Bon-Accord October 1, 1903

Ideal weather favoured the meeting of Aberdeen and Arbroath at Pittodrie on Saturday, in a Northern League fixture. The teams lined up as follows:- Aberdeen: Ritchie; Willox, McGregor, Sangster, Strang, Thomson; Shinner, Mackie, McKay, McAuly, Johnston. Arbroath: Palmer; Lindsay, Ferguson; Petrie, Murray, Connacher; Black, Middleton, Willocks, Guild, Neave. Mr. Gibb, Cowdenbeath, was referee.

The home team started well, and were soon dangerously near the Arbroath custodian. Johnston took up the ball from McAulay, and had not Palmer saved in splendid style, a goal would have been the result. The local lads' stay in Arbroath territory was, however, of short duration, and the visitors, by smart play on their left wing assumed the aggressive, and the local backs had to defend. The ball was soon after carried to midfield, where some give and take play ensued, Johnston brightening up matters by sending in a fine pass, which his comrades, however, failed to take advantage of. The game was being most evenly contested, and neither side showed conspicuous play, the shooting of the home team being somewhat erratic. At half-time there was no scoring.

On resuming, Aberdeen took up the running, but when near the Arbroath goal, McKay sent the leather over the crossbar. With a fine shot Black drove the ball past Ritchie into the net. Aberdeen now had a look in, but Palmer smartly returned a well directed shot from McKay. Play became more interesting, and Aberdeen made many efforts to equalise, but failed to find the net until , when the game was far advanced, Shinner took up a pass from McAulay, and rushed the ball through. Each team made strenuous endeavours to increase their score, and both custodians had many anxious moments. Just before the whistle blew the visitors put on a second goal.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 28th September 1903

N.B. For some reason known only to the Aberdeen Journal, the visitors were named Arbroath United in the newspaper.