Aberdeen 4 - 1 Brechin City

A Good game...

Source: The Scotsman, 12th November 1906

Brechin City supplied the opposition at Pittodrie, Aberdeen, on Saturday afternoon, when they met the local reserves in a Northern League fixture. The weather was fine, and the ground was in splendid condition. There was a good attendance when the teams lined up as follows, under discharge of Mr. Nisbet, Edinburgh:-

Aberdeen A: Mutch; Urquhart, Brebner; Davidson, J. J. Simpson, Robertson; Lawrie, Hilton, Young, R.Simpson, McKenzie.
Brechin: Morrison; Chapman, Lyon; Smith, Nicol, Moncrieff; Easson, Brand, Glen, Graham, Caithness.

Although the visitors lost the toss, and were ordered to play against the sun, they opened briskly. Their right wing forced play to Aberdeen's end, where Easson sent in a hard drive. Mutch cleared, and J. J. Simpson getting the ball, transfer to play to the other end. Neat passing by the local forwards in front of goal gave Brechin's defence much anxiety, but Lyon, rushing in, cleared. Back again came Aberdeen, and for several minutes exciting play was witnessed within the visitors' penalty area. Morrison had numerous shots to deal with, but he was equal to all demands made upon him. Brechin after much strenuous work, beat back the locals. The visitors' backs and half-backs played a sound game, and broke up all attempts at combination by the home forwards. Mutch saved splendidly from Glen. Lawrie had a run the whole length of the field, but his fine individual effort went for nothing, as his final attempt was weak and far off the mark. Morrison sent the ball well out. Nicol secured the ball, and after getting past the halves, sent on to Glen. The centre passed to Easson. The right man got round Brebner and centred. Glen to was in his place, and, securing the ball, scored the first goal of the match. Brechin, on play, did not deserve the point, but it had the effect have put in more life into the game. The locals resumed briskly, and for a time Morrison was kept busy. Over anxiety on the part of the home forwards when near goal lost them several points. The visitors on the other hand were very dangerous when near goal, and Glen was unlucky in not again scoring when he had no one but the custodian to beat. The centre broke through the defence, but his parting shot was wide. Aberdeen now had most of the pressing, but Lyon, who was doing great things, was unbeatable. The home front rank were continually in Morrison's vicinity, but score they could not. Lyon would take no risks, and Lawrie was the only Aberdeen forward who could make any impression on him. The Brechin halves fell away considerably, and it was only Lyon's ground defensive work and Morrison's capital saving that kept the score down. The visitors a occasionally broke away, and Aberdeen's goal ran several narrow escapes. Brechin secured the first corner of the game, but the ball was sent down by Brebner. Aberdeen, however, were not long in equalising, for a neat cross from Lawrie to Hilton was converted. Morrison had no chance whatever to save. After this, Aberdeen had most of the game. Several shots from all the local forwards were cleared by Morrison. Close on half-time Aberdeen took the lead. Davidson outwitted several opponents and passed to McKenzie, and banged the ball into the net. Lyon, in drawing up Lawrie, hurt one of his legs and had to retire.

Aberdeen opened the second half briskly. From the kick off, the home forwards rushed towards Morrison, who had to save twice in the first minute. Lawrie and R. Simpson both sent over when in good positions. Aberdeen forced corner after corner, but on each occasion the ball was got away. Lyon had recovered considerably from his injury, and although it was apparent that he was suffering much pain, he played well, but he was eventually compelled to leave the field. Several exciting incidents took place in front of Morrison, and the ball was netted twice. Mr. Nisbet refused to grant the points for offsides. Aberdeen had all the play now, and it was no surprise when Young, who had been working hard for a point, secured number three for his side. Although Brechin were playing a man short, they worked with fine spirit, and once or twice were very near scoring, but Mutch was always on the alert. The visitors were somewhat unlucky when near goal. Close on time, R. Simpson one did Aberdeen's fourth goal, by heading in the ball from a cross from Hilton.

Gate and stands, £45.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 12th November 1906

Brechin City Outplayed.

The visitors to Pittodrie went off with a bang on Saturday and looked as if they were to carry everything before them. They had the defence beaten and the ball in the net before we could realise the game had well started. It was a good thing for the A's that they did not get flurried over this, and, quickly settling down to their work, it only required a little time for the "bummers" to get on equal terms. Lawrie got the opportunity from Hilton and a fine goal resulted. McKenzie put on a second one almost immediately after, and the result was never again in doubt. Brechin played wonderfully hard in the second period, though they were minus the assistance of Lyon, who had to retire injured. Young put the A's further on the lead, and then Simpson got another. Vainly did Brechin try to increase their score, but it was no good, the defence being much stronger at the finish than it was at the start. The A's ran out comfortable winners by 4-1 - a score that entirely represents the run of the play.

Amongst the A's.

Aberdeen made a bad start at Pitttidrie but gradually recovered and won with a comfortable lead. Pride of place must be given to the halves, whose work in defence and attack was almost perfect. There is a fine understanding between those three - Davidson, Simpson, and Robertson - at all times, and none the less on Saturday. Young again made a fine pivot, and he was well supported by his inside men - McKenzie being the better of the two extremes. On the Brechin side, the left wing were the better pair, while they have also a hardy set of halves. Lyon was the best back on the field till he was hurt, and, but for his injury, it is quite possible the score might have remained at 2-1.

Source: Bon-Accord, 15th November 1906