Aberdeen 0 - 1 Northern Lg Select

A match in aid of the Northern League Funds was played at Pittodrie on Saturday afternoon between the Aberdeen reserves and a Northern League select team. The weather was fine, and there was a fair attendance when the teams lined up as follows, under discharge of Mr. Thow, Dundee:-

Aberdeen A: Mutch; Willox, Brebner; Davidson, JJ Simpson, G. Robertson; J. Robertson, Ward Wilson, Lawrie, McKenzie.
Select Team: Rodger (Forfar); Kirkland (Dundee Wanderers), Birrell (Kirkaldy); Petrie (Arbroath), Ramsay (Dundee), Henderson (Montrose); Mitchell (Dundee), Proctor (Arbroath), Mackie (Lochgelly), Cairns (East Fife), Horne (East Fife).

Aberdeen lost the toss and played towards the east goal. After a short spell of midfield play, Mitchell accepted a pass from Ramsay, and made off two wards Mutch. The Dundee man crossed to Henderson, who sent in a hard drive, but Willox in attempting to clear with his head gave away a corner. The free kick was got away, and after a short spell of play in the visitors' half, Henderson allowed Mackie to get away. The centre made a good attempt to break through, but he was neatly robbed of the ball by Willox. Both teams showed good combination, and there was little to choose between them. The visiting backs were more reliable than the home defence, and it was by a mistake on the part of Willox that gave the visitors the lead. There'll drove well ahead, and Horne sent over a capital shot. Willox returned weakly, and Mackie rushing in scored with a soft shot. Mutch was not to blame for not saving as his view was obscured by the backs. The visitors after the success put more life into the game, and Mutch saved repeatedly after the backs were beaten. Aberdeen were vigorous, Wilson being responsible in initiating many clever movements, but the home forwards could make no impression on the visitors' defence. Shortly before half-time Aberdeen improved greatly, and forced several corners, which proved fruitless. Rodger saved grandly from Wilson and Lawrie, but up to half-time there was no more scoring.

The visitors were the first to become dangerous, but the home backs kept up a strong defence. Aberdeen showed up better now than in the first half, and their forwards were soon in Rodger's vicinity, but the goalkeeper cleared everything that came his way. Gowie Robertson was the outstanding player on the field. He made numerous openings for his forwards, but weak shooting by the home fan spoiled their opportunities. The select men were kept in their own half of the field for a long time, and although the backs and halves the strong endeavours to get the ball away, it was of no avail. Aberdeen's halves were in great form, and broke up all attempts at combination by the visitors. Aberdeen stormed the Select goal, and forced numerous corners, all of which proved fruitless. Gowie Robertson and Davidson had good tries, but Rodger cleared. The visitors' defence was excellent, and although Aberdeen tried hard to get a point, but the defence was almost unbeatable. In the closing minutes the Northern League men broke away, and Mutch had to save twice in succession. And into resting game ended in favour of the visitors by one goal to nil. The gate amounted to £55.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 1st April 1907

Northern League Select.

It is quite evident that a benefit match at which there is nothing at stake fails to draw the crowd. There was only a fair attendance present at Pittodrie on Saturday, when the Northern League Select Team and Aberdeen A met. Play was above the average of a Northern League game proper, but there was a want of life in finishing. From the way the visitors set off we were prepared to see the Aberdeen A knocked into a cocked hat. The locals took some time to settle down, and once they got the measure of their movements, held their own, not before the defence had made one mistake which cost them a goal - Mutch making a great effort at saving. Wilson almost equalised, but Ramsay kept him well under survey right through the game, and never let him too far away. Robertson had another grand chance which he let slip by crossing instead of shooting on his own. BirreII, Kirkland, and Rodger got a lot of work to do in the second period, for Aberdeen confined play to the west goal almost the whole of the time, the local defence seldom being called on. It was hard lines on Aberdeen A to be beaten by the only goal scored, as they deserved to have had a goal or two on their own. C. Mackie and the right-wing pair were most pro¬minent for the visitors, the middle, though not brilliant, were a useful lot, and the backs were often lucky in clearing. Rodger saved well all through, and deserved his selection. The halves were the prime factors in breaking up the visitors' forwards, and the fine understanding between Davidson, Simpson, and Robertson cannot be surpassed in any team. With the exception. of Wilson, the forwards were, as they have always been, weak at goal. Mutch, Willox, and Brebner formed a grand last line of defence, and saved the situation many a time.

Chatty Bits.

Congratulations to Willie Lennie, who was married on Monday. We understand there is to be a movement to get up a public testimonial to the left winger on an early date.
Saturday proved a disastrous day for Aberdeen, as they lost both at home and away.
The home fixture was supposed to be a runaway affair for the Select-Team, and though they won, the honours in play were equally shared.
Birrell and Kirkland are a pair of good backs, but their kicking was very flukey on Saturday. In fact, the former was not so good as he was on the previous Saturday.
The League came out well with their £30 guarantee, though it seems to us a trifle too much to ask a benefit and not take any risk in the transaction.
Aberdeen will not lose anything by the transaction, but their away gate hardly meets expenses.
This week begins the period when Clubs approach their own players with a view to re-engagement.
How many will Aberdeen keep, or how will they treat with those whom they wish to re-engage? They can let a few go away without any serious loss.
From now to the end of the month rumours and counter rumours will he the order of the day.

Source: Bon-Accord, 4th April 1907