A fair turnout of spectators witnessed a tussle between Aberdeen A and Lochee United at Pittodrie, Aberdeen. The teams were:- Aberdeen: Barrett; Willox, Brebner; Low, Thompson, Robertson; Knowles, Ellis, Caie, Shiach, Jaffrey. Lochee United: J. Smith; Milne, Hannah; Smith, McInally, Clark; Lavery, McIlroy, Burns, Anderson, Blair. Referee - Mr. William Mckenzie, Dundee.
Aberdeen won the toss, and the game opened rather quietly. The A's had rather the best of the opening exchanges, Smith being called upon twice in the first five minutes, but he marries to save on both occasions. Blair had a splendid run from a pass from Burns, who played an excellent game, but Willox and Brebner were equal to the occasion, and repulsed the attack in fine style. Jaffrey had an excellent run for Aberdeen, high and, passing to Ellis, only missed the ball with his head by a few inches. Soon afterwards and exciting incident occurred, when Caie was drawn up for trying to "butt" Smith through the goal when the goalkeeper was on his knees. The referee's decisions during the next 20 minutes caused great dissatisfaction. The Aberdeen men on several occasions were unjustly fouled. At last the referee a boarded the Aberdeen a foul, which decision was greeted with loud cheering. The kick, however, was useless, as Ellis was lying off side. The Aberdeen forwards were in great form, and had several splendid runs, most of which were blocked by Hanna, who played splendidly. A likely run on the left wing resulted in Barrett cleverly saving. At last Jaffrey broke away from a pass from Ellis, but was fouled close in by McInally when about to shoot. The referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Some Willox, in taking the kick, completely defeated Smith with an unsuitable shot. Some midfield play followed, and a little later Jaffrey had a splendid run up, and shot for goal. Smith saved, but could not hold it, and Caie rushing up, growth the ball against Hannah, from whom it rebounded to Caie again, who scored beautifully with a swift shot.
One crossing over, the game for a time was quiet, Aberdeen keeping their opponents under control. Play for the most part was confined to the forwards of both teams. Jaffrey got away again with a clear course, and crossed to Shiach, who muddled it. Caie, from a cross from Knowles, looked dangerous, but was pulled up for being offside. Caie had a number of splendid runs, but experienced bad luck in attempting to score. The surprise met the A's shortly afterwards by Burns taking advantage of a slit by one of the Aberdeen defenders and rushing the ball past Barrett into the net. Encouraged by this success, Lochee pressed for the next few minutes, but without further result.
The "gate" amounted to about £25.
Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 9th January 1905