Aberdeen 0 - 0 Arthurlie

Fully 3000 spectators assembled at Pittodrie on Saturday to witness the encounter between Aberdeen and Arthurlie. Mr. McLeod, Dumbarton, led out the following teams:-
Aberdeen: Macfarlane; Murray, McNicol; Halkett, Sangster, Low; Harvey, Ruddiman, Robertson, Mcaulay, Edgar.
Arthurlie: McMillan; H. Menzies, Crawford; Allan, Boyle, Fairlie; Esson, A. Menzies, Logan, Ross, McIvor.

Arthurlie were the first to press, but relief came through a Logan shooting weekly behind. Play was fast, the ball traveling from goal to goal with great opportunity. The black and gold brigade monopolize the play for a time, and repeatedly the strangers' custodian, who was in good form, had to do his utmost to clear. The game gave evidence of being very closely contested, the Arthurlie playing a strong, bustling game, and brought out the best qualities of the homesters. McAulay and Edgar had tries, but the defence was equal to all demands. Arthurlie were rubbing it in, hammer and tongs, and when matters were not going to their liking undue force on their part was not spared. Aberdeen settle down to a short-passing game, and there was no questioning their superiority, although an opening could not be got. Menzies and Crawford were sorely tried, and some of their clearances were very lucky. As the result of a bright movement on the part of the Aberdeen forwards, Arthurlie had to concede a corner. There was no advantage to be got thus, but the attack was sustained, and as a result of a scrimmage in front of MacMillan another fruitless corner ensued. McIvor got off, but was robbed of the leather by Murray. Ruddiman picked up a nice pass from Sangster, and when shaping well was unceremoniously groused outside the penalty area. Before the call of half-time the hardest of lines was experienced by the homesters, who swarmed light bees round McMillan. In the thick of the fight Menzies handled within the penalty area, and was penalised accordingly. The goalmouth seemed assured, but, to the keen disappointment of the home crowd, Henry Low shot wide, and the interval arrived with no scoring.

Aberdeen resumed with increased energy, but week shooting nullified all efforts, and the Arthurlie custodian was caused little on easiness. The home quintette were given too much to individualism, although McAulay and McNicol had each good tries. A mistake by crow Ford resulted in Aberdeen all but getting in, and Ruddiman put in a shot which deserved a better fate. Sheer luck combined with the doughty defence of the visitors kept the homesters from scoring, but on play there was no questioning the superiority of the latter. Two wards the close the ground team wrought hard for an opening, and corner succeeded corner, but the Arthurlie defence chimed in at the critical second, and time arrived, there being no scoring.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 10th April 1905