Alloa Athletic 2 - 1 Aberdeen

The tide has turned, and the Aberdeen's career in the Scottish Cup has been like that of the Qualifying Ties, short, but by no means sweet. And while others may be dismayed at Saturday's defeat, we are not in the least. The public have been too prone to take this month's doings as what the club was capable of when they were in form but it is one thing to draw friendlies with leading clubs and another to win cup ties with second-rate provincial ones. It is all very well for the papers to say that the Aberdeen had all the play, but no luck, but this is small consolation for us at home, who expected something else than a defeat. The worst side of the matter is the effect that the defeat will have on the league representatives when the Aberdeen's application once more comes before them. And the financial side of the question is another matter that must not be lost [sight] of. Had the Aberdeen prospered in the ties, there was a veritable gold mine waiting them, and however rich they may be at present, they are not so well off that they could not have done with more of the filthy lucre. What a contrast is Aberdeen's display to that of Arbroath, who at Glasgow managed to draw with the Clyde. And what the Arbroath are capable of doing surely the Aberdeen can do. But it seems not. The Arbroath, unlike the Aberdeen, believe in native talent. With the Aberdeen it is otherwise. They scour the country in search of players, and get them, sign them on, and then discover what they are made of. We firmly believe that had the Aberdeen directors been content with the best of the local players when the club was formed their history might have been a different one to-day.

Source: Bon-Accord, January 28, 1904

This first round Scottish Cup tie at Alloa attracted a large crowd on Saturday. Aberdeen were soon aggressive and Mackie scored for them within three minutes. Alloa played hard after this, but the visitors were always able to hold their own. At length the Athletic scored through Hunter, while close on the interval Fraser put the home team one up. The second half was fiercely contested, and Wilson, the Alloa custodian, had most saving to do. Try as they would, Aberdeen could not penetrate the Alloa defence. Their efforts to break away were always successfully negotiated. Result:- Alloa Athletic, two goals; Aberdeen, one goal. Gate money drawn, £50.

Source: The Scotsman, 25-01-1904

Most of the leading Scottish football clubs had serious business on Saturday, 26 of them meeting in the first round. Aberdeen had the misfortune to be drawn against Alloa Athletic, and there they travelled on Saturday. Great interest was taken in the match in the Alloa district, and in consequence the crowd was large, over 2000 persons watching the paly. The ground was not in good condition for accurate football, a sloppy surface interfering greatly with the foothold of the players. The teams were:- Alloa Athletic: Wilson; Henderson, Allen; Miller, McMillan, Philips; Hunter, T. Bowie, Forsyth, Fraser, Bauchop. Aberdeen: Barrett; Mackie, McNicol; Sangster, Strang, low; Bonar, Barron, Mackie, McAulay, Johnstone. Referee - Mr. Robertson, 3rd Lanark.

The Alloa captain won the toss, and Mackie kicked off against a stiff wind. The opening play was of a sensational order, Aberdeen attacking right away, Mackie, off a fine centre by Bonar, beating Wilson close in after two minutes' play. This early reverse raised the Alloa men almost to the pitch of desperation, and they were soon swarming round the Aberdeen goal. McNicol, however, was in fine form, and, with a long punt, transferred play to the other end. Johnstone spoiled some fine chances by lying offside. The Alloa left half raised the enthusiasm of the crowd by a fine run, but Mackie pulled him up, and the Whites were soon at the other end. Bonar centred beautifully, and Mackie scored, but offside was given, and the goal was disallowed. Alloa now pressed for a short time, and soon their determined efforts were rewarded, slack play by the Aberdeen backs letting the Alloa forwards in, with the result that Hunter equalised amid great enthusiasm. Both teams now playing for all they were worth, and a fine run by Barron raised the hopes of the Whites, but the parting shot went wide. Alloa now did a bit of hard pressing, but McNicol kept his end up in gallant style, and dribbled clear of the whole Alloa forward line. A beautiful shot from Bonar almost gave Aberdeen the lead, Wilson just managing to clear. Alloa broke away, and a fine pass from the right was picked up by Hunter, who promptly banged the ball past Barrett. This was rather hard on the Whites, who had had much the better of the play, and, though they strove valiantly, the equaliser would not come.

On restarting, Johnstone got away on the left, but the Alloa backs cleared, and Hunter skimmed the bar at the other end with a lovely shot. Midfield play ensued, and Barron was prominent for a break away and pass to Mackie, who shot over the bar. The remainder of the game needs little description, as the Aberdeen men simply peppered the Alloa goal, and all sorts of shots were stopped by Wilson. McAulay, with a fine header, and Barron, with the best shot of the match, had both hard lines in not scoring, Wilson stopping the latter shot just on the line. Several of the Aberdeen men claimed that the ball was over. Aberdeen played hard, and they certainly deserved to equalise, but it was not to be, and they had to retire beaten by 2 goals to 1.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 25th January 1904