Dundee 0 - 0 Aberdeen

Beautiful weather favored a meeting between Aberdeen and Dundee at Dens Park, Dundee, in their Scottish League engagement on Saturday. The ground was in capital order, and everything pointed to a keen, interesting game between the two northern rivals. Dundee's position on the league table entitle them to start favourites, but Aberdeen, occupying a place among the last half-dozen clubs, were determined to make up for their last year's collapse on the same ground. Fraser, outside left, was absent from the Dundee team, and McKinley, Aberdeen, stood down owing to an injury the previous week. At 2:45 before a large crowd of spectators, the teams lined up as follows:-

Dundee: Muir; McKenzie, Jeffrey; Lee, Dainty, Henderson; Webb, Russell, Cox, Macfarlane, Mitchell.
Aberdeen: Macfarlane; Boyle, Gault; Halkett, Strang, W. Low; McDonald, Ward, H. Low, Edgar, Lennie
Referee - Mr. J. B. Stark, Cambuslang.

Aberdeen won the toss, but there was practically no advantage either way. Play opened quietly, with Aberdeen the attacking party. With a clear field, H. Low got away in the centre, but he was pulled up for offside. Good work by Halkett and Edgar kept the game near the Dundee goal. Thus early the visitors were showing up well, the players entering into the game with plenty of confidence. Dundee eventually got away on the right, Webb's speed being noticeable. Crossing up the right time, Webb gave Macfarlane a rare opening, but the inside left shot wildly in his attempt to beat his namesake in goal, the ball being sent flying to the opposite wing were a gentle that would have placed his side a goal up. Even at this early stage the spectators took a very lively interest in the game, and both teams got plenty of encouragement from their respective supporters. A large crowd travelled from Aberdeen to witness the game, and they had good cause to make themselves felt, for the team surprised everyone by their brisk, go-ahead play. Dundee could not get into their stride, for the Aberdeen half-backs seldom allowed their opponents to become dangerous. The football was not altogether high-class, science being discarded for a time, but the keenness of the struggle made up for any absence of the finer points of the game. Halkett was prominent for smart tackling. After getting the better of a tussle with a left wing, the Aberdeen right half sent the ball spinning across to Lennie. The left winger in turn crossed to McDonald. Rushing ahead, the outside right just failed to reach the ball. Henderson got there first, but missed his kick. Jeffrey, however, nipped in and banged the ball into touch. Dundee were hemmed in on all sides, the Aberdeen right wing, admirably backed up by Halkett, giving no end of trouble. The Dundee left back, however, was rather unfair in his treatment of McDonald, who was twice badly tripped, one on another occasion Jeffrey deliberately took hold of McDonald from behind when the latter was well on his way to goal. Henry Low kept begging away in the centre, but spoiled a good opening by getting off side. A momentary breakaway by Dundee was checked owing to Cox being offside. There was plenty of strong kicking by both teams, with Aberdeen as a rule, pushing home the attack with great persistency. Cheered on by the crowd, the players rarely slacken their efforts, hard knocks being given had taken by the players on both sides. In a game between two rivals such as Aberdeen and Dundee it was only to be expected that feeling would crop up here and they are. An accident to Edgar necessitated his leaving the field for a few minutes, but he returned and played up with rare dash. The Aberdeen backs had a comparatively easy time, thanks to the Stirling work of the three halves. Ultimately Webb got away on the Dundee right, but was fouled by W. Low. A long drive by Dainty was cleared by Macfarlane. Returning to the attack, McDonald and H. Low had a clever passing run, the ball being carried well into the Dundee territory. After eluding Henderson and Jeffrey, the Aberdeen outside right slipped the ball into the centre. H. Low picked up the pass and made straight for goal. nearing Muir, the Aberdeen centre forward, from about a dozen yards out, drove the ball with great force towards goal, where Muir bent down and brought off a magnificent save. It was the tit-bit of the game so far. Fast play ensued, and for a downright, go-ahead brisk game nothing better could have been wished for. The struggle was indeed a great one, and Aberdeen created a good impression by their dashing football. Strong back play by Dundee was a feature of the game. Aberdeen were distinctly unfortunate on one occasion. A chance shot by Ward took Muir unawares. The Aberdeen forward shot for the far corner of the goal from about ten yards out, and, with the goalkeeper at the opposite side, the ball appeared certain to pass into the net. However, it struck the post, and rebounded into play. Edgar came rushing along, but he failed to reach the ball, the inside left splipping on the ground in his effort to open the scoring. A long shot from Dainty was cleared by Macfarlane, who also dealt with another immediately afterwards. Nearing half-time Aberdeen tried hard to open the scoring, but were beaten back.

Dundee were soon round the Aberdeen goal after the restart. They forced matters to some purpose, and stretched the Aberdeen defence to the utmost. A foul close in for Dundee gave Cox an easy chance. The centre, however, sent the ball wide of Macfarlane. Back came Dundee once more, and when Mitchell skimmed the crossbar with a remarkably good effort the excitement round the field reached a high pitch. Mitchell was showing up grandly on the Dundee left, his cross is in front of goal causing no end of trouble to the Aberdeen defence. Wilfred Low's head was greatly in evidence at close quarters, and he repeatedly got the ball away at critical moments. Halkett, too, was prominent in defence tough, while Strang's breaking-up tactics spoiled any attempt at combination by the Dundee forwards. Webb got dangerously near, but was knocked off the ball by Gault. Sound defence kept Aberdeen's goal intact, although it must be said that Dundee were having the best of matters. Sudden breakaway by Edgar and Lennie was followed up by the last named getting past the Dundee backs. Dainty, however, came to the rescue, and checked the left winger's progress. Play for a time was fairly even. The pace was kept up with a rare spirit by both teams. As the game went on, the Dundee spectators shouted frantically to the team to get a goal, but goals were not to be had at any price at Dens Park on Saturday afternoon. A quick rush by Aberdeen found Lennie in possession near the Dundee goal. He crossed to Ward, who sent in a fast shot, which struck McKenzie when Muir was out of position. Still, Dundee were having the best of the game, Macfarlane in particular improving in his play. Time was wearing on, and still no goals were scored. A magnificent drive by Russell from near the penalty line was tipped over the bar by Macfarlane. Then Dundee altered the team. Webb went into the centre, Cox shifting to inside right, and Russel on the wing. The shards from the crowd were almost deafening when the ball was kept bobbing in close proximity to the Aberdeen goal. First one player and then another tried to force the ball past Macfarlane. Good opening out work by Edgar gave Henry Low a chance. The centre dashed ahead and slipped through between the backs. Dainty and McKenzie, however, closed in on Low, who was promptly grassed. Lennie next lead the way. He tried both Lee and McKenzie, and then passed to the right, where McDonald shot on the wrong side of the post. More clever work by Lennie looked promising for Aberdeen, and a corner to the visitors was cleared by Jeffrey. Next minute Macfarlane brought off a great save. The ball came bouncing down the field towards Webb, who hooked it into goal, where Macfarlane met that with the tips of his fingers, sending it behind. The closing stages were characterised by play of the most exciting description, and the whistle sounded with a game drawn - no scoring. The result was a correct indication of the run of the game, Aberdeen were the better team in the first half, while Dundee excel on crossing over.

The gate realised £200; stands, £30 - total, £230.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 12th November 1906