Heart of Midlothian 2 - 1 Aberdeen

This East of Scotland League game drew 5000 spectators to Tynecastle. The Hearts had a new player in Thomson, a local man, who has been out of the district for a time. Play, while interesting, never reached a high level. Aberdeen played the prettier game, but the Hearts were more effective. Lennie scored after Haddow had saved twice in quick succession, but before half-time Courts put the sides level when, making full use of a blunder by the Aberdeen defender, he ran through and beat MacFarlane with a grand shot. The second half saw the game run on even lines, but for Davidson fouling Gilchrist a penalty was given, and Henderson scored. Another penalty came for the Hearts, but this time Henderson struck the post. In a good finish the Hearts had the best of matters, but failed to add to their score. Result :- Heart of Midlothian, two goals; Aberdeen, one goal.

The Scotsman, 28th April 1908

This East of Scotland League game was played yesterday at Tynecastle. Both teams were considerably changed from Saturday. The Hearts had a more familiar look than the teams which are done duty for them recently, while the Aberdeen were very much under strength. Teams:-

Hearts: Haddow; Reid, Collins; Henderson, Colombo, Philip; Gilmore, Walker, Courts, Thompson, Gilchrist.
Aberdeen: Macfarlane; Colman, Hume; Davidson, Wilson, Low, C. N. A. McEachern, Muir, Simpson, Thompson, Lennie.
Referee - Mr. Nisbet, ESFA

Between three and four 1000 spectators were present when Aberdeen kicked off. The opening play was of a quiet order, with Aberdeen footing in most of the aggression. The pressure resulted in a corner being given away by Collins, and following this the Hearts cleared their lines, and bore down on the Aberdeen defence, but sound kicking by the backs forced them to midfield. Then followed a pretty piece of play initiated by Gilmour, the ball passing via Walker and Courts out to Gilchrist, who, however, showed a fatal slowness, and are likely effort ended in hopeless failure. Play had hardly settled down once more when the visiting left wing attacked strongly. Thomson, the inside man, twice tested Haddow with stiff shots, and as often the goalkeeper cleared, but from his second clearance Lennie got on the ball, and sent in a shot which gave Haddow no chance. One down, the Hearts put on a bold front, but once again they were driven back by the Aberdonians. The pressure was served to present Collins with a chance of distinguishing himself, and he availed himself of the opportunity, getting rid of the threat and danger with a kick which had any amount of body behind it. A short period of midfield play followed, and the next to notable incident was an unsuccessful attempt by Phillip and Gilchrist to gain a bit of ground. Following a foul against the Hearts, the ball was returned, and Hume missed his kick. Courts, following hard up, came into possession, and although Macfarlane came out, the centre, with a high ball, scored a good goal amidst cheers. Gilmore was the originator of a smart piece of work on the Hearts' right wing. He beat his man, and passed to Walker, who, in turn gave to Courts. The centre returned to the Internationalist, who terminated a clever movement by narrowly shooting past. Towards the interval walker took a more prominent part in the game, but at least one of the movements started by him was weakly finished by Courts.

On the resumption, walker was frustrated by Low in an attempt to get away. Lennie got on the ball, but Reid deprived him of it, kicking to touch for safety. But for a few similar incidents which came to nothing, play was very quiet. Twice the ball went out to Gilchrist, but he was badly supported, and each time before he could get on the ball he was worsted by one or other of the visiting defenders. A spell of passing and read passing between the Aberdeen forwards and halves was broken by Collins, who cleared somewhat weakly. Hume was called upon to clear a shot which reached him, and he succeeded without much difficulty. After the Hearts had failed to get away on the right, they were successful on the other wing. Gilchrist had a run down the field with the ball at his foot, but his last shot was nothing, not reckless, and Gilmore, who next got the ball, served up something similar. After this Gilchrist was tripped inside the penalty area, and the extreme punishment was inflicted on Aberdeen, Henderson being successful with the kick. Lennie and Thomson were responsible for a good dribbling run, which looked like producing an equaliser. Collins cleared with a header, and walker being brought down near the Aberdeen goal, a second penalty kick was given. Henderson took the kick, and this time failed.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 28th April 1908

N.B. This fixture is mistakenly listed in Jim Rickaby's "Complete Record" as being played in August 1907.