Aberdeen 2 - 2 English Select

There were 10,000 spectators at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen, last night, when the home team divided four goals with an English select team, captained by Mutch, Huddersfield, in a match for the benefit of Arthur Robertson, Aberdeen centre half. The visitors' side included six Newcastle United players and two from Huddersfield. Play was of an exhibition nature. Scorers for Aberdeen were Rankine and Robertson (the latter from a penalty.) Smith (Huddersfield) and Wilfred Low (Newcastle) were the scorers for the select. The player should reap a £500 benefit.

Source: The Scotsman, 28th April 1921

Arthur Robertson's benefit match at Pittodrie last night with an English Select as the visitors was a great success from the beneficiary's point of view. The result was a draw of two goals each, and as there were about 10,000 spectators, and with the stand side well filled, and with tickets sold, the "benefit" is sure to be a very substantial one.
The play was in accordance with what is invariably served up in Scottish benefit matches where there is nothing at stake, the principals catering rather to the spectacular and humorous side than to the more popular desire for keen, competitive football. There were passages when the football was fast enough and keen enough, but to the most uninitiated it was patent that the game was not taken very seriously by the players, and on that account interest flagged at a comparatively early stage. All the same there was much to attract, and what with exhibition tactics and unconventionalities, coupled with at times masterly ability of certain of the players to get through their work with a minimum of expenditure of energy, the crowd was kept in good humour, the comedy touches imparted by Mutch, Huddersfield Town's Aberdeen goalkeeper, materially contributing to that state of affairs.
If the competitive element was not allowed to reach a climax, there were times when each side made pretentions to play the game as it is popularly supposed it should be played. The strong Newcastle element in the English Select repeatedly revealed an understanding which comes with continued association, and the easy manner in which the defence got out of difficulties was only equalled by the clever footwork of the forwards, and the manner in which the whole team contrived to keep the ball low in the midfield exchanges repeatedly elicited appreciation from the spectators. Aberdeen contributed their full share to the exhibition element, but whereas it was more concerted on the visitors' side it was individualism by the home players that provided incident to the game. McCracken, the "offside king," repeatedly set his trap neatly, but whereas it evoked admiration and was of some educative value, the general unpopularity of the law in its present form palled on the spectators when his tactics were imitated by the home team.
Mutch in goal was out to amuse himself and others, and in that mission he succeeded, his eccentricities and wonderful grabbing abilities being repeatedly demonstrated, but the liberties he took in midfield were only pardonable on such an occasion in that they provided diversion in a diverting game. The three local players who made up the English team all fell into the spirit of a game which was productive of more goals than thrills, even if it was quite enjoyable.
The scoring was spread over both periods. In the first half Aberdeen took the lead through Rankine, and this goal divided the teams at the interval. In the second period Aberdeen were awarded a penalty for "hands" and it was fitting that Robertson should convert from the spot. Two goals in arrears, the visitors developed a more effective style of play, and Sutherland had brought off some nice saves before Smith got through to beat him. Later Wilfred Low was a popular scorer of the equalising goal with a characteristic drive.
After the match both teams were entertained at supper by Arthur Robertson in the Douglas Hotel.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 28th April 1921