Source: The Scotsman, 28th January 1907
Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 28th January 1907
Aberdeen's Misfortunes.
After the previous week's display against Kilmarnock one would think that there was some bad Omen hanging over Aberdeen. Of course, the frost-bound pitch hampered them in their usual mode of play. Johnstone put the ball well in front, and seldom attempted combination, as it appeared impossible to get or pass the ball away with accuracy. Combination was at a discount, and seldom or never came off. This was Aberdeen's failure. Their passing, at one time short, was on the next turn too strong. What play there was in the first period was in favour of the home side, and only resolute defending and packing goalmouth kept McKinley getting through twice. The accidents to Macdonald and Brebner, also had a deterrent effect on the side playing with their wonted dash. On the other hand, Johnstone's play was all dash, with little method. Seldom was McFarlane called on throughout the entire game, but this was mainly due to Brebner's fine defence, assisted by Boyle; the latter going off his, game in the closing stages. It was a game that defies detailed description, for there was very little continuity of action on either side. McCormick and his co-defenders had certainly the most work to do, the attack lacking sting. In our opinion, Aberdeen wanted to run the ball through the goal. which was a mistake. Had they gone in for shooting at long range we are confident they would have met with moee success. The too close drlbbling on the hard ground put Aberdeen to a decided disadvantage, not one of the players performing up to anything like his usual form. A draw at home looks very bad on paper, but some consolation is to be found in the results of other ties in the same round. Without doubt Aberdeen could beat Johnstone next week if they get them on a suitable pitch, but it is tantalising that they should practically throw away their chance by timidness, which is inexplicable in a first-class team.A Gloomy Outlook.
It would appear from the casual remarks heard at Pittodrie on Saturday that the cup ties, instead of helping the financial prospects of the club, will result in a serious loss. We know that it was the intention of the directors to offer a substantial guarantee to get Johnstone back to Pittodrie for the re-play, and even if they were successful, they would have had to get into the next round before there would be any substantial gain in the ties. Owing to the weather; Saturday's gate was £119 odds, the half of which goes to the visiting club, less the stand drawings. This is hardly sufficient to run a first-class team and pay everything. Aberdeen's having to travel on Saturday to Johnstone will be a very serious drain on the funds, as we learn that the greatest drawings there never reach £20. Johnstone would only have to guarantee fifteen railway fares, and half-gate over, which would mean the matter of ten guineas, so that our friends would be considerably the gainer by their half-gate at Pittodrie, and the chance of winning at home. The outlook is not at all hopeful meantime.A Vain Effort.
Aberdeen made a strong effort to get Johnstone to revisit Pittodrie on Saturday but failed. This will mean a considerable financial loss to the home side and to Johnstone, which cannot be helped. If the Aberdeen go about their business in a proper way on Saturday, they ought to come out top at the finish. Provided all the men are sound, there is no desire to change the team from last week, except, perhaps, to make room for Ward, who has strong support for the centre position. The team will not be definitely fixed on till the men are reported on as fit and well, but the team will be selected out of the following:- Macfarlane, Boyle, Brebner, Gault, Halket, Davidson, Strang, W. Low, Macdonald, H. Low, Ward, McKinley, O'Hagan, and Lennie. Mr. J. Nisbet will again referee.Chatty Bits.
Quite a list of minor injuries had to be attended to at the close of the match on Saturday. Besides- the nasty turnup which Henry Low received, his knees were badly bruised with falls in the sand. Macdonald had his eyebrow cut in two places, and one knee damaged. Lennie also had some sand to get dislodged. It is expected that all these will he remedied before the tie is due on Saturday. The Johnstone officials were highly pleased with their visit to Pittodrie, and while some were favourable to the re-play in Aberdeen, others were not. It was left to their usual meeting on Monday night before a final settlement was made as to when the replay would take place. They have a clever outside left in Irvine, while their lanky centre-half put in a lot of good work for his side. Reid looked a dangerous centre, but was inclined to stick too long to the ball. Brebner was the surest defender Aberdeen had, and along with Tom Strang planted some good shots towards goal. Strang was easily the best of Aberdeen's trio, Halket coming next, while Low got the ball taken too often from him to be effective. MKinley worked hard, with Macdonald and Lennie backing well up. Henry Low got badly shaken up, while O'Hagan took little risks on the hard pitch. Their play was not a patch on that given against Kilmarnock. If they play as they can do away there is little fear of the result; but we trust they will not wait till the last moment before they put on the spurt. Aberdeen had a representative at Johnstone on Monday trying to induce them to come north again this week. It was no use. Johnstone declined all overtures, and the tie will have to be played on Saturday at Johnstone. This will come as a hard blow to Hamilton Academicals, who had arranged to run a special train from Hamilton. Hamilton Academicals were due at Pittodrie in the return League fixture, and this will make the fifth game which Aberdeen will be in arrears with in the League. Aberdeen are due at Brechin in their return Northern League fixture, and unless an alteration can he made Pittodrie will be vacant on Saturday. To have nu fixture on at Pittodrie will never do. It is a grand chance to play off the final for the County Cup. The Aberdeenshire Association should see to this, and get the final knocked off when they have a clear Saturday presented to them. With so many on the injured list, we believe that Aberdeen can hardly raise a team this week.Source: Bon-Accord, 31st January 1907