Aberdeen 3 - 1 Leith Athletic

In cold and bleak weather the Aberdeen entertained Leith Athletic at Pittodrie on Saturday in an Eastern League Fixture. There was a good attendance of spectators to watch the struggle for points. The visitors turned up without two of their regular team but substitutes were brought far those on the sick list. Thomson set the game in motion by passing out to the right wing, who at once made tracks for Barrett, but their onslaught was repelled by the home backs. Johnstone broke away on the left for the Whites, and had a try at Brown, who fumbled the shot. After a short scrimmage the ball was got away by the Leith defence mare by luck than good management. Keeping up the pressure the homesters were proving a dangerous lot, and before the visitors quite realised the fact the Aberdeen were one up. C. Mackie was the player who did the needful with a well taken slip into the corner of the net from a pass well placed by Johnstone.

From the kick-off the visitors tried to make headway, but all to no purpose, and they had again to fall back on the defensive. McAulay got down the wing after a fine dribble, and gave a splendid chance to Mackie in centre to put through number two but the pivot, in trying to put the sphere out of the goalkeeper's reach, struck the crossbar, and a grand chance was lost. Hard and fast play followed, and it must be admitted this was mostly in favour of the homesters. A corner was forced, and Johnstone placing finely, McAulay had little difficulty in, heading the sphere into the net. Play became more equal from this on till the interval, when the homesters held a well deserved lead of two goals. Without retiring from the field of play the game was at once resumed.

The Whites again took the upper hand, and shots from all quarters were rained on Brown, but none of the dangerous order. Those of the soft nature were got rid of by the visitors' custodian in a nervous and shaky manner. The visitors now took a better hold of the game, but Mackie and McNicoll proved too great a barrier. After the latter and McAulay had tried a dribble on their own, both of which proved unproductive, C. Mackie had a try at the visitors' goal. Brown made a dive for the ball, but failed to hold the sphere, and Bonnar rushing in had no difficulty in putting on the finishing touch. From the kick off the Athletics at once tried to emulate the homesters' feat, but their attempts were very weak. A penalty, however, came their way, and from it Fotheringham opened their scoring account. Play slackened down towards the finish, and when the whistle sounded the scores stood - Aberdeen 3, Leith Athletic 1.

Points from Pittodrie.

It was a poor day far such a good fixture.
The ground, however, was wonderfully good considering the heavy rain which had fallen. We notice that the roller is being used oftener on the ground, and if this, together with sand were tried, then Pittodrie would soon be in good condition.
Great things were expected of the visitors, but they did not come near to expectation. They may have been reserving themselves for their great Cup Tie which means so much to them.
We are glad to see that the "gates" are keeping up to a respectable total at Pittodrie. Saturday's one - £95 -will be a consolation to the Athletics for the loss of the points.
Brown, a substitute, did not inspire anyone by his display in goal. He was fluky.
McRae played a very fine game, but his partner at right back was not quite safe. It must be admitted, however that the wing opposed to him was in rampant form.
The visitors' halves were run off their feet, and had too much work on their hands (or feet).
McNeil was the outstanding man of the trio, and played a splendid game.
Thomson and Dow were the pick of a rather mixed forward line.

Barrett had practically nothing to do in the home goal. This just shows that Mackie and McNicoll were in the best of form both in kicking and tackling.
The same may be said of the halves who had the measure of the opposing forwards.
Strang has not quite recovered from his injury.
The other two halves played their usual fine game.
It is seldom that we see good wing play here, but everyone must have been delighted with, the fine display given by McAulay and Johnstone. Their understanding was perfect, while their, passing was a treat.
Bonnar continues to "sand dance," while McKay is gradually becoming fitter. Charlie Mackie was a bit off his game. We were glad that Mr. Jack was on the whole a very efficient referee, but beg to differ with him in regard to his action towards Strang, as the penalty kick was about to be taken. The rule does not debar a player from standing at the goal, post so long as he is outside the restricted area. At least we read it so.

'G'

Source: Bon-Accord, February 18, 1904

Leith Athletic visited Aberdeen on Saturday to fulfill their engagement with the local club in an East of Scotland League match. The last occasion on which the Leith Athletic showed their paces in the Granite City was about ten years ago, when they played a friendly game with Orion on Central Park. Leith Athletic were then a first class team, and gave the Aberdonians a severe drubbing. The standard of Aberdeen and Leith football has undergone a considerable change since the early nineties. There was an average attendance at Pittodrie on Saturday. Owing to recent wet weather the pitch was rather soft. The teams were:- Aberdeen: Barrett; Mackie, McNicol; Sangster, Strang, Low; Bonnar, MacKay, Mackie, McAulay, Johnston. Leith Athletic: Brown; Allan, McRae; Armstrong, McNeil, Gordon; Moffat, Tait, Thomson, Dow, Fotheringham. Referee - Mr. Jack, Shotts.

Aberdeen were dangerous at the very start. After a throw in Aberdeen's left pair annexed possession, and Johnston, with a strong cross, gave Charlie Mackie little else to do than tip past Brown, the latter having no chance to judge the flight of the ball in the quick square and follow up. This goal within a few minutes of the commencement gave Aberdeen much heartening, and they only were conspicuous. The play which followed was hard, and Aberdeen forced a corner. The ball was laced to a nicety by Johnston, and skipper McAulay headed through. Gordon sent a long, lofting shot towards Barrett, which the latter had no more than just enough to clear. Towards the interval the play got more equal.

On resuming, Aberdeen tarried not a minute, and renewed pressure with greater vigour, for they had now the assistance of a slight wind. Great shots were forced in upon Brown, first by McAulay and then by Strang, but goals did not come. Leith's forwards, adopting the long kick and rush system, were now seen to better advantage, and Tait had the best shot so far, only it slipped aside. Selfishness among the forwards of the Aberdeen spoiled further achievements. End to end visits were now the order, and blocks were noticeable in front of each net. Perhaps Leith had the hardest of luck, more especially in one scrap, but Barrett was the hero. Undoubtedly Leith were determined to have goals. Brown failed to grasp properly a strong low shot, and Bonnar, rushing in, hustled man and ball over the line, bringing out the third goal. Still Aberdeen wanted more. An undeserved penalty was awarded Leith, from which they scored. The last quarter of the game was a very poor one. The gate was £95.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 15th February 1904