Aberdeen 2 - 0 Heart of Midlothian

It was as a result of winning this match that Aberdeen finally clinched ownership of last season's McCrae Cup, having already played Hearts for a decision on 15th August 1906 where a draw left the conclusion open.

Aberdeen met the Hearts at Pittodrie yesterday afternoon in an East of Scotland League fixture, and also to decide the custody of the McCrae Cup. There were about 8000 spectators present when the teams lined up as follows:-
Aberdeen: Macfarlane; Urquhart, Boyle; Halkett, Strang, H. Low; Ford, Haxton, McKinley, Edgar, Lennie.
Hearts: Allan; Welsh, Collins; McLaren, Chapman, Malcolm; Pearson, Walker, Menzies, Douglas, Reid.
Referee - Mr. Faichnie, Falkirk.

The game opened briskly, and during the first minute Edgar sent in a hard shot, which the goalkeeper held. Play was evenly contested for some time. A neat pass by Strang was accepted by McKinley, who took the ball up the field. He passed to Lennie, but the left winger sent it wildly over the bar. McKinley again broke away, but Ford sent the forward's pass yards wide. Lennie was proving too much for the opposing defence, and he repeatedly got past Welsh. A breakaway by Aberdeen resulted in Haxton forcing a corner, but the free kick was not taken advantage of. The Hearts' forwards rushed to the other end, and Macfarlane saved a hard shot from Pearson. Macfarlane again distinguished himself by clearing a great shot from Menzies. Aberdeen's goal underwent several narrow escapes. Hearts forced two corners in rapid succession, and for about five minutes the ball was continually hovering in front of Macfarlane. Owing to Edgar being knocked down and injured, the game was stopped for a few minutes. Macfarlane had two capital saves from Reid. Aberdeen's centre was in capital form and repeatedly left the visiting half-backs behind. The local half-back line kept the visiting forwards well in hand. Fast end-to-end play followed. As the result of a corner forced by Lennie, Haxton scored a lovely goal for Aberdeen. Lennie exchanged places with Edgar, and for 5 minutes previous two half-time Aberdeen were all over the Hearts, but there was no more scoring.

In the first minute of the second half Macfarlane saved a header from Menzies. A minute later Aberdeen's goalkeeper had to give away a corner. The ball was eventually got away, and Edgar and Lennie tested Allan with difficult shots. Edgar at this stage left the field, and although Aberdeen had only ten men the gave quite as much as they got. Edgar resumed play after ten minutes' absence. A well-placed corners kick by Edgar resulted in Lennie putting the ball in the net. Hearts rushed to the other end and forced two corners, but they proved fruitless. One Aberdeen had all the game. Hearts occasionally broke away, and although Macfarlane was severely tried at times he would take no risks, and the game ended in favour of Aberdeen by 2 goals to nil. The gate money, including stands, amounted to £260.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 28th September 1906

Chatty Bits.

Aberdeen won the M'Rae Cup on Thursday, beating Hearts by 2-0.
Owing to accidents the Hearts were slightly under strength. So were the home side.
Johnny Edgar came by a nasty accident in this game which prevented him playing on Saturday. We were pleased to learn that he was on the way to recovery and hoped to be able to play this week.
If Aberdeen can only win at home and lose every time they travel, it is to be easily understood that the "gates" away will go down.
There was only a fair crowd at Motherwell. This, it is said, was due to the counter-attraction at Airdrie.
Aberdeen A had a rousing reception and a fine crowd when they stepped on to Pittodrie on Saturday. The general complaint was that they did not get value for their money. Several radical changes were mentioned, and from the scowls on some of the directors' faces, we would not be astonished at something fearful happening.
Either Robertson was out of form or wanted training, we do no;; know which, but he was the poorest player on the field.
W. Low also fell away in the second period and was never seers. He is not the player he was last season.
What was the cause or the reason of Hilton and Lawrie changing places in the first half? There was no excuse for this, as the outside man did less when the change took place.
There is no doubt about it, the A's threw away the game on Saturday and also their prestige with the Aberdeen crowd.
They will have to do something brilliant to get back into favour again.
The McRae Cup, which was won by Aberdeen on Thursday, has been on view in Manfield's window in Union Street.
The various reports have been somewhat misleading as to the goal-scorers at Motherwell. Ward did the trick on each occasion.
Lennie, Ward and M'Kinley were the three best forwards Aberdeen had on Saturday.
Edgar is fit and will turn out against Falkirk on Saturday. Another welcome reappearance in the defence will be Gault, who has been off duty since the St. Mirren match.
Urquhart gets a rest to-morrow as he has been kept at it pretty continuously of late.
On the principle of keeping the men in form, Lickley will keep goal at Dunfermline, and Mutch will act as reserve at home.
We understand that the right wing is still far from satisfactory to the directors' idea, and that they have sent the manager after one or two likely candidates. We shall be hearing, and in time for our programme, if his mission is successful.
Ford's display at Motherwell was so unsatisfactory, that it has led to seeking out a capable understudy.
It is not to be expected that one wing can do everything, and there is no mistake about it the left wing have got the burden thrown on them this season.
The McRae Cup has been handed over to the custody of Treasurer Jaffrey, and will be a useful ornament on his sideboard.
There was a confab between the directors and several of the players this week as to improving the play.
Now that they are out of the Cup-ties the reserves will have to set about and work off their arrears in the Northern League.
The County ties will also be on, the draws for which take place this week.

Source: Bon-Accord, 4th October 1906