Aberdeen 2 - 1 East Fife

The Aberdeen directors were never in such a quandary as they were for players on Saturday, They had two out on loan, one was "resting," two were on the injured list, and one away on leave. In any case those left at home to look after the "A" team, I am informed, were two men short half-an-hour before the start. W. Jaffrey came on the scene, new home from a sea voyage, and he, along with Simpson of the Aberdeen Wednesday, turned out and were the best men in the front line.

The "Fifers" are a sturdy team and play good football, but their guaging of the uprights was a trifle hazy. The same remark applies to the home side till the alteration in the front line took place, when Simpson went in centre and Jaffrey to outside left. There was then not the slightest dubiety as to who were the best side. Fine goalkeeping by Bernard, with a pair of good backs in front of him, kept the Aberdeen midget line out many a time when they were almost through. That the home side, won by 2-1 was only what they deserved to do on play.

Middleman and Collins proved a fine pair of backs, and "saved" the "Fifers" repeatedly, Bernard only making one mistake throughout which let Simpson equalise. Wilkie and Stalker were the most pronounced in the front line, who, taken all over, were confident in their placing, but finished poorly. Barrett was safe as the bank, but McNicol was unsteady at the Start. It was only when he got warmed up that he played something like himself. The halves did well, while Simpson and Jaffrey were the best in the front line; Smith was poor on either side of the field, and played worse than we have yet seen him. Mr. Deans, Dalkeith, proved an efficient referee.

Chatty Bits

I extend my sympathy to Ward who was suddenly and unex¬pectedly called home.
Owing to other reasons Henderson and Mackie were called in at the last moment for the inside vacancies.
Mackie played a great game at inside right, much better there than he has done at centre.
I am told this is the first time this season that Aberdeen havesecured full points home and away.
It was only last week that Dundee failed to beat Partick Thistle, so that says something for Aberdeen's display on Satur¬day.
As far as goal getting was concerned Aberdeen always got into the best openings for shooting.
- They did not adopt the fine passing of their opponents, but swung the ball across, thus upsetting the defence a bit.
Boyle came in for a nasty kick, and it will be doubtful if he is fit for this week.
Bob Murray, however, is free now that Forfar Athletic have won their final against Arbroath, and the Cup for the first time in their existence.
Another final that attracted some attention was the Perthshire. Dunblane winning in hollow fashion over St. Johnstone.
Scotland has to tackle her second international on Saturday, when Ireland has to be met at Dublin.
East Fife had a good fair sprinkling of supporters on Satur¬day. The gate, all in, amounted to £51.
It was a treat to watch the faces of the President and Treasurer on the outlook for players.
Little Jaffray was the first capture and he had just arrived that morning from a sea voyage. It was plucky of the wee chap to play.
He lifted a load from the directorate mind when he consented, and he proved also that he had lost very little of his play, though he had been out of training for about six weeks.
Aberdeen could be doing, with more of his kind at the present time.
Johnny Edgar was a spectator again on Saturday with his Eye still closed up.
Hamilton came by an accident in the forenoon, through a scaffold giving way, and he had two of his ribs hurt.
Geordie McNicol will still be going on with Port Glasgow. I question if they will play him this week.
This week is the final for the Aberdeenshire Cup at Pittodrie. Hitherto this has proved a tit-bit for local enthusiasts, and I hope they will rally round the two county clubs and give them a "bumper" attendance.
This is the first time in the annals of the Association that two county clubs have entered the final round. It is sure to be a stiff tussle.
Peterhead is the popular fancy for the cup, but if the Huntly footballers are as keen as their cricketers they will make a great show for possession.
Since writing the paragraph with reference to Ward, which appears above, I understand he has wired that he is unable to come north yet, owing to family matters.
The Northern League team to oppose Aberdeen on the 24th which is to be selected this week, will be an exceptionally strong one.
Inter-City League and East of Scotland League fixtures nil occupy Aberdeen till the end of the season.

Source: Bon-Accord, 15th March 1906

East Fife were the visitors at Pittodrie on Saturday afternoon, when they engaged the Aberdeen A team in a return Northern League fixture. There was a fair attendants when Mr. Deans, Dalkeith, who had charge of the game, lined up the teams as follows:-
Aberdeen A: Barrett; D McNicol, Brebner; Davidson, Thompson, Robertson; Simpson, Hilton, Jaffrey, Cruikshank, Smith.
East Fife: Bernard; Middlemass, Collins; T. Adams, Whyte, Dewar; Wilkie, J. Adams, Stalker, McCafferty, Horne.

Aberdeen lost the toss, and Jaffrey kicked off towards the east goal. The locals made ground fast, and in the first minute Robertson, after dribbling through the East Fife defence, sent in a grounder which Bernard cleverly turned side. East Fife wakened up, and Horne had a good run up the field, although his parting shot was a few yards wide. The Aberdeen half-back line played in fine style, and, led by "Gowie" Robertson, the forwards got well up the field, but Jaffrey failed to reach a nice cross from Smith, with the result that Collins sent the ball to the other end. Jaffrey, in the centre, was doing fairly well, but he clung to the ball rather long. The East Fife backs were equal to all demands, and cleared their lines repeatedly. Horne, on the left for the visitors, repeatedly got off, and on many occasions he left McNicol behind. On one occasion this player made a capital attempt to score from the penalty line, but Brebner, running across, intercepted, and sent the ball well down the field. A few minutes later, Wilkie worked himself into a good position, but he could not make anything of the opportunity, Brebner robbing him of the ball when the former was about to shoot. The locals certainly showed the finer points of the game, but failed to follow up their advantages. Aberdeen, for a short time, were kept to their own end, and from a nice pass from the right J. Adams rushed between the backs and scored from a few yards distance. After this reverse the Aberdeen front rank was rearranged, Jaffrey exchanging places with Simpson. Aberdeen were now playing for all they were worth and secured two fruitless corners. Simpson, in the centre, was feeding his wings well. Following a severe attack on the East Fife defence, Bernard, in clearing, led the ball slipped from his hands, and Hilton seeing his opportunity, rushed in and equalised. After this success Aberdeen continued to have the best of the game, and Bernard dealt with several hard shots in a very creditable manner.

Play for about seven minutes after the commencement of the second half was fairly even, being confined to midfield. East Fife took the game in hand for a short time, but the Aberdeen defence had little difficulty what ever in repelling the attack of their opponents. McNicol, in a well-placed return, let Cruikshank off, but Middlemas had no difficulty in taking the ball from him. After getting away on his own account, Simpson, although harassed by the opposing defence, danced about in front of goal with the ball, and after defeating the backs, scored from close in. East Fife tried hard to equalise, and although the local backs were occasionally defeated, Barrett was in his place, and turned aside three shots in quick succession. The game two wards the finish was very exciting, and it would have been no surprise had the visitors equalised.
The total gate money, including stands, was £50.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 12th March 1906