Aberdeen 0 - 0 St. Bernards

Great interest was evinced in the opening of the football season last night, and a large crowd flocked to Pittodrie to witness the initial event, in which Aberdeen met St Bernard in an East of Scotland Cup tie. The grounds were well filled by seven o'clock, and it was estimated that the spectators numbered about 2500 when the teams lined up.

The pitch was in prime condition, and Aberdeen started operations right away, pressing severely on the mid line to secure an entrance to the Edinburgh division. In this they were to a great extent successful, and their invasions which were frequent, soon assumed a dangerous aspect. Some smart work with short passing was witnessed, and although severely harassed, Hilton made a gallant attempt to screw into the corner of the net. Gowie Robertson was the next to try for a point, and while his long range shot did not take effect, it was worthy of reward. The capitalists seldom got across the mid line, and the game resolved into a bombardment of the strangers' citadel. A fine pass from the left was missed by Hilton in front of the goal, but his partner on the wing, Harvey, was ready, and after a pretty display of diddling in the corner of the pitch he sent the sphere flying conveniently across the goal line. The players clustered round the goal mouth, and an exciting minute was experienced while the goalkeeper twice left the ground to fist out. A clearance was ultimately effected, but there was an immediate resumption of the pressure. A pretty glancing shot from the left by Edgar, skimming across the line, raised a tremendous cheer, but nothing more tangible resulted. From the play up to this stage it seemed that the locals must score, but luck seemed to be a long time in looking their way. Excitement was once more roused to a fever heat, with the ball bobbing from one head to another, and still within an ace of the net. The tension was relieved, however, by the sphere going over, and from the the subsequent goal-kick the Saints were enabled to pay their first visit to Herd. An offside punt was brilliantly stopped by the custodian, and a minute later the local goalkeeper again distinguished himself by running frog fashion, through a maze of yellow jerseys, and clearing his line. The St Bernard men seemed to take heart from the success of their incursions, and now claimed a better share of the game. Edgar and Harvey on the extreme wings were shooting in rare form, and successive drooping shots from each of the margins troubled Stanners not a little. The other members of the attacking line were particularly weak in shooting, and it was undoubtedly owing to bad judgement that the scoring was not opened, for opportunities offered themselves in abundance. The visiting backs improved as the game progressed, and showing a good turn of speed, they defended their territory well, although Buchanan on the right showed an inclination to "grass" his man when there was any probability of an escape. The interval found the teams on a level, with the strangers close up to the Aberdeen back division.

On turning round, Aberdeen had to defend stoutly, the feeding of the Edinburgh half line being systematic and thorough, but Herd handled well when occasion arose. Play deteriorated considerably, and Willox distinguished himself at times by miskicking. Black had a clear goal before him, but his punt was intercepted by the bulky figure of Gault, and a couple of minutes later the visitors' pivot sent in a fine shot which taxed Herd to the utmost to turn aside. The Saints were now pressing hard, and but for smart picking up by the home guardian, the citadel must have fallen. Edgar roused the enthusiasm of the crowd once more by bursting off on the left, his effort bringing out a corner. The kick in was nicely judged, but Gowie Robertson spoiled the chance by shooting wide. Aberdeen were doing better in the way of attack, but their tries for goal were exasperating to say the least of it. The blues contsted strongly for an opportunity to shoot, and Guthrie sent in a shot, which just scraped across the bar - an effort which was so much appreciated that it brought forth an ovation from the spectatorate, who are none too ready to recognise ability in a stranger. Edgar played a really scientific game, and was easily the star of the team, running like a hare and finishing with accurate crosses, which only wanted the finishing touch to send them home. The last ten minutes' play was more keenly contested, but as darkness was beginning to settle over the pitch, the finer points, which had shown occasionally during the earlier stages, disappeared, and the game resolved pretty much into a general hustle. At the same time ample excitement was provided, and both keepers were called upon to handle. It was apparent, however, that the game would result in a draw, and when the whistle sounded neither side had secured a point. The gate amounted to £70.

Source: Aberdeen Journal,16th August 1905