Aberdeen 3 - 2 Cowdenbeath

Cowdenbeath were the visitors to Pittodrie on Saturday when they met the Whites in a Northern League Fixture. The ground and the weather were not of the best - both being on the soft side. The homesters won the toss and played towards the city. From the kick-off the Fifers made tracks for the home goal, but McNicoll relieved by punting well down the field. The relief, however, was only momentary, as on the visitors breaking away on the right Thomson, beat Ritchie before the game had been five minutes old. The Whites tried hard to equalize matters after this, and although having the best of the game they were yet unable to do the needful owing to very weak shooting. It was on very few occasions that the Beath broke away, but on these visits they were very dangerous, which was more than could be said of the Whites. After some fruitless corners the homesters at last equalised matters - Barron landing into the net from a nicely placed corner by Johnstone. Play still continued in favour of the homesters, but it was the Fifers who took the lead first. Butler, centre half, dribbled up the field and passing forward to Walker in centre, that player beat Ritchie with a low shot. From this on to the interval the Whites took up the running but Hood was not to be beat, so that on crossing over the visitors led by the odd goal. On resuming, play opened rather, tamely, and for a time nothing interesting took place. McAulay was responsible for some nice dribbling which ended in his partner shooting wide. Mackie, at back, was also prominent with a very bad miss, which, however, was covered by Sangster who was playing a hard game. The same player had one or two good tries at goal which, however did not have the desired result. Hood and the goalpost were the cause of failure. Quarter an hour from time the visitors still held their goal lead, but after that a change came over the game. McKay received the ball, and dashing through the backs beat Hood with a fast shot, and thus put the teams level. Not long after Low put on the winning goal with a magnificent shot from 25 yards out, which beat the custodian all the way. No further scoring took place, and the game ended - Aberdeen 3, Cowdenbeath 2.

Points from Pittodrie.

Considering that the weather was not of the best we were rather surprised at the size of the crowd. £65 was not at all bad on such a day as Saturday. The visitors came with the intention of taking away full points, and it certainly was not their fault that they did not fulfil their hopes. One point however, would certainly have been their due.
Hood is a goalkeeper of experience and of merit, and, what's more, he knows it. He had some good saves. Robertson and Watson played a great game for the visitors at back. We think the former on the whole was the better of the pair. Their halves played a hard game and had not a little to do with the home quintette's ineffectiveness. Beveridge, we think, was the pick of the trio although Butler proved stumbling block to most of the Whites with whom be came in contact. We were rather taken with the effectiveness of their front rank, who were dangerous on every occasion they came near the home goal.
Walker, their latest recruit, looks a likely centre forward. His passes out to the wings were both accurate and well times while his shooting was of the "bulls eye" order. We were rather sorry for McAughey, who net a tartar in McNicol, and have an idea that he won't forget his visit to Aberdeen for some time. The rest of the front rank were only fair.
Ritchie was very shaky in the Aberdeen goal. He has a lot to learn yet before he makes a really capable substitute for Barrett. McNicol was the better back and kept the opposing right wing quiet. Mackie, except for his miskicks played a good game. The halves played a good game all through. Low, however, must be given the first honours of the day with Sangster a good second. The former's winning goal was a scorcher, and no mistake. Robertson seemed out of training during the opening minutes of the game, but improved greatly later on. McAulay was the best of a poor forward line. Both outside men were poor.
Johnstone was distinctly off in his shooting, while Bonnar indulges too much in fancy work. He might try and shoot now and again with success. Barron did not fill Mackie's shoes in centre by a long chalk. He had a goal to his credit, but that was about all. McKay's knee still troubles him. His goal was well taken, while he showed some nice touches during the game. Mr. Hodge, Dunfermline, as referee was an improvement on his last visit but still had a few queer decisions on the off-side rule.

C.

Source: Bon-Accord, February 11, 1904

Aberdeen met Cowdenbeath at Pittodrie in a Northern League fixture. The teams were:- Aberdeen: Ritchie; Mackie, McNicol; Sangster, Low, Robertson; Bonnar, McKay, Barron, McAulay, Johnston. Cowdenbeath: Hood; Robertson, Watson; Orrock, Buller, Beveridge; McAughay, Thomson, Walker, Cameron, Mercer. Referee - Mr. Hodge, Dunfermline.

The visitors started against a strong wind. In a twinkling Cowdenbeath were hovering round Ritchie, but McNicol averted danger, and play was transferred to the other end. Cameron and Mercer, by a fine piece of combined work, made good progress, and the latter crossing with capital judgement, Thomson got possession, and, driving hard and low, beat Ritchie three minutes form the start. The play of the miners was such as to give both the home supporters and players considerable anxiety. Gradually, however, the northerners shook off the attack, and their opponents were obliged to act on the defensive. For fully five minutes, play was confined to the Cowdenbeath territory, many dangerous shots being sent in by the home quintette. Johnstone was entrusted with a corner kick, which, if well taken, was as well and as smartly converted by Barron, and headed through high in to the net. Aberdeen were now having the upper hand, and for well nigh ten minutes they kept up a continual siege on Hood's charge. The goalkeeper, however, was active and deftly turned aside many dangerous shots. On several occasions the Fifers found an opening, and it was from one of these that they succeeded in obtaining the lead. Buller, from midfield, drove the leather well up, and Walker, who was lying near, beat Ritchie easily.

Aberdeen resumed in promising fashion, but Robertson and Watson offered a strong resistance, and consequently several fine runs were initiated, only to be cut short by the burly Fife defenders. McAulay had the hardest of luck in not scoring the equaliser, for after outwitting four opponents he got within range of Hood, and drove hard and low. The win, however, caused the ball to curl past the post. A few minutes afterwards Sangster raised the enthusiasm of the spectators by an excellent shot from far out, which struck the post and bounded out of play. It was fully fifteen minutes before the miners' front rank found their feet, but when they did, they caused Ritchie some anxiety. Twice in rapid succession the custodian was called upon to deal with dangerous deliveries from Mercer and Thomson. After a spell of midfield play the Whites got an opening, and McAulay getting possession of the ball got into close proximity to Hood. The inside left crossed with precision, and McKay seizing the leather, sent it well into the net. Scarcely had the enthusiasm died down when Low with a brilliant effort put his team on the lead, and the game ended with the visitors pressing.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 8th February 1904