Aberdeen 6 - 1 Inverness Clachnacuddin

In the third round of the Qualifying Cup the Aberdeen met the Clachnacuddin at Pittodrie. Notwithstanding the dull weather there was a good turnout of spectators when teams lined up. The homesters lost the toss and kicked off towards the sea, but the Clachs quickly transferred play and were met with very fluky back play. After some defensive work the home forwards made tracks for Mair, but were brought up owing to Mackie being fouled. Strang took the resultant kick and let drive for goal, but his shot being a trifle wide looked like going behind, when McAulay rushed in and headed the ball through the goal. This unexpected but welcome point infused new life into the play, which became much brighter and more interesting. The visitors' front rank got off, but their attempts came to naught owing to a very disjointed attack. Just when the home crowd were looking for goal number two, Johnston made off on the left and looked like scoring, when he was grassed by the visitors left back in no uncertain fashion. Although this occurred within the penalty line and the player was winded, yet no penalty kick was awarded, only a foul being the outcome and this was easily cleared by the Clachs. Not long after however, the left winger had his revenge by scoring a splendid goal with a fast slanting shot. Strang and H. McDonald then knocked their heads together with the result that the latter had to retire for almost fifteen minutes. Barrett had one or two shots to negotiate but nothing startling occurred until half-time when the Aberdeen crossed over with a two goal lead.

On resuming the visitors opened with a rush, but Bremner relieved with a nice punt which let the left pair off towards Mair. After the homesters had got a goal disallowed the referee awarded a penalty against the Clach's defence for their illegal method of tackling Mackie. McAulay made no mistake with the kick. This made the visitors' position desperate, and in attempting to rush a goal they badly hurt Sangster, who had been playing a clever game up till then. He went off and could not resume again, but this did not keep Shiach from notching number four. The referee then showed his authority over the play, into which a deal of bad feeling had crept, by giving Shinner and McLean, left back, a warning. Not content with their score the Aberdeen scored again, through Mackie this time and not long after the Clachs got their first and only goal from a fine shot by McRae. Nearing the end Mackie again scored for the homesters with a brilliant individual effort, clean beating the, opposing defence in his run. Shortly after, the whistle sounded with the scores standing 6-1 in the Aberdeen's favour.

Source: Bon-Accord, October 8, 1903

Points from Pittodrie

The Whites have now entered the Scottish Cup competition proper by their win on Saturday. Of course we trust they will go further in to the Qualifying rounds, if not lift the cup itself.
Personally we don't see what's to hinder them. Saturday's game could not be called gentle in any sense of the word, the visitors taking too much advantage of their height and weight.
On the whole they must be complimented on playing a fair and clean game, there being almost an entire absence of tripping, back-heeling, and other low dodges in their play.
In Mair they have a goalkeeper who does not lack for height and although beaten so many times, yet he had little chance with those shots which found the net.
Their backs were very good in the kicking and tackling line although not very particular as to how they took the man.
This remark applies especially to the left back, McLean, and we don't wonder at Shinner getting a bit hot over his treatment.
McGregor and McDonald were the pick of the halves, who were a trifle slow.
The forwards, however, were a very weak lot, although not to look at. They had no idea of combination, while they also had the knack of parting with the ball at the wrong time.
Barrett was safe in the home goal.
The backs, however, did not inspire us with confidence. Bremner was all right, but McGregor is still shaky. He seems to want confidence in himself.
The halves were positively brilliant.
It is a great pity Sangster was injured, but we hope he will be fit soon. He is too good to be absent long.
The forwards were in rampant form and have never showed such an understanding this season. Please keep it up. Every one of them played well. We are wondering where McKay is to go when he returns fit, as Mackie has silenced the critics by his display.
Mr. McInnes, although not a brilliant referee, was very fair, and this is almost all we want.
C.

Source: Bon-Accord, October 8, 1903

Aberdeen met Clachnacuddin at Pittodrie on Saturday in the third round of the Qualifying Cup. Despite the cold weather conditions, there was a large turnout of spectators. The following elevens took the field:- Aberdeen: Barret; Macgregor, Bremner; Sangster, Strang, Ritchie; Shinner, McAulay, C. Mackie, Shiach, Johnston. Clachnacuddin: A. Mair; J. Macdonald, McLean; Macgregor, Sinclair, G. Macdonald; McBean, S. Mair, Forbes, H. Macdonald, Macrae. Referee - Mr. MacInnes, Thornliebank.

After a few minutes' uninteresting play, Aberdeen opened the scoring, McAulay smartly heading into the net. Aberdeen were having more of the game, although now and again the Invernessians had a look in. They seldom got near the homesters' goal, and often tried shooting from midfield, but were never successful in getting between the uprights. Barret had, therefore, little to do, but when the ball came in his direction he was always on the alert. Durng one of Aberdeen's attacks they forced a corner, but Clachnacuddin smartly defended their goal. A fine effort by Johnston increased the homesters lead. Macdonald received a nasty kick on the head, but returned to play some minutes later.

In the second half Aberdeen simply walked over the Highlanders, and played consistently, though their form was not equal to that shown against the Hearts last Monday. Sangster unfortunately got his foot twisted early in the second half, and this weakened the defence considerably. The visitors scored from a corner, and Aberdeen replied by putting on four goals. The last goal, which was registered just on time, was a splendid effort, Mackie bringing off a capital single-handed run before netting the ball. Aberdeen were strong on the left wing, and Strang played a fine game. The sum of £80 was drawn at the gate.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 5th October 1903