Aberdeen 3 - 1 Inverness Caledonian

Inverness Caledonian supplied the opposition at Pittodrie, Saturday to a friendly game with the Reserves. The visitors lost the toss, and kicked off towards the city, but did not make much headway against the strong wind which prevailed. Shiach had a fine chance to test the Caley's custodian, but his parting shot was wide. Play continued in the visitors' territory and during a scrimmage something happened which caused the referee to grant a penalty. Murphy took the kick, but his shot was smartly saved by Macdonald, the visitors' goalkeeper. Not long after another scrimmage took place in front of the Inverness goal, and the ball coming out to Murphy, that player made amends for his previous failure by scoring with a rocket shot. The visitors' forwards got off now and again, but Ritchie was seldom troubled, although on one occasion his goal ran a narrow escape owing to a misunderstanding between him and Bremer. Another goal fell to the homesters, but owing to a previous infringement, only known to the referee, a penalty was awarded instead. Barron took the kick, and gave the opposing goalkeeper no chance whatever to save. Shortly after this incident, half time was sounded, only half an hour having been played owing to the fearful weather conditions. The visitors had the benefit of a hail storm to help them on, but during the second period their forwards did not make the best use of their chances owing to their inability to keep control of the sphere. Ritchie had one or two nasty shots to tackle, but these he dealt with in masterly fashion. The Reserves, however, were not lying down all this time, but trying to make headway, and in one of their raids a third penalty was granted for Clark being pushed from behind within the dreaded line. Barron again took the kick but Macdonald saved, only to be beaten a moment later, however, by Murdoch from short range. The Caledonian made several combined raids on Ritchie, and just on time, opened their scoring account from one of these. The game ended in a perfect hail storm, when the scores stood - Aberdeen A 3, Inverness Caledonian 1.

Points from Pittodrie.

There was certainly no excitement in the game as to keep the spectators warm, Gael and gale seem to go hand in hand.
Macdonald in goal for the Caley is to be complimented for his fine saving.
Fotheringham, left back, was far ahead of his partner, whose play was inclined to be fluky.
Duncan, centre-half, was the best of a fairly good trio and did some fairly smart things. The extreme men of the inner rank were the outstanding men.
The Reserves still keep their unbeaten record, but unfortunately their goal record is gone. Ritchie could not have saved that one point, and is to be sympathised with after doing such splendid work.
Bremner was the better back, but Bell, his partner, seemed out of practice. He will come yet with that in a week or two.
Black and Murphy were the best of the half-line. Thomson had one shot which almost took the corner flag instead of the net Practice is required by forwards and halves alike in this particular line.
Barron and Shiach were the best of the quintette.
We would advise the Whites to get Mr. Thomson to referee all their matches, if possible, as he is purely a club referee.

Source: Bon-Accord November 26 1903

These teams met at Pittodrie in a friendly game before a small attendance, and hail fell frequently during the game. The teams were:- Aberdeen: Ritchie; Bell, Bremner; Black, Thomson, Murphy; Clarke, Murdoch, Barron, "McColl", Shiach. Caledonian: MacDonald; Marr, Fotheringham; Grant, Duncan, Urquhart; Todd, G. Cameron, Glass, J. Cameron, Sutherland. Mr. Arthur Watt, Aberdeen, set the teams agoing.

Aided by the wind, the ground team assailed MacDonald, but their attack was loose. Inverness were only occasionally over the middle line, and, after twenty minutes' play, Murphy scored in a scrimmage. The Caledonian retaliated, but their stay over the line was brief. Duncan handled in the goalmouth, and Murphy took the penalty kick which was awarded. He shot hard and straight, and MacDonald tipped past. Barron then missed a goal by inches, and was afterwards fouled on the goal-line when about to cap a run with a shot. Another penalty was granted, and Barron scored. Half time arrived immediately after.

For the first five minutes of the second half Aberdeen had to act on the defensive, but they gradually wrought their way east. Clarke was fould by one of the opposing backs, and Barron was entrusted with another penalty. Macdonald, however, again saved. Ritchie was next visited, and had to prone himself to save a grounder. The Caledonian had several corners, but made nothing of them. Murdoch added a third goal for Aberdeen. The visitors again pressed, but their efforts were futile. End-to-end play characterised the last few minutes of the game, and Ritchie was beaten once.
This was the first match this season in which a goal has been scored against Aberdeen A. The drawings were about £8.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 23rd November 1903