Aberdeen 1 - 1 Brechin City

In a Northern League match at Pittodrie on Saturday afternoon, Aberdeen A were only able to share in a one-goal draw with Brechin City by equalising in the closing minutes of the game. Teams:-

Aberdeen A: Greig; Hannah, Harper; Davidson, Robertson, Low; Hay, Towns, WD Nichol, Edgar, Neilson.
Brechin City: Balfour; Ross, Shand; Strachan, Findlay, Knowles; Hunter, Lyon, Glen, Smith, Milne .
Referee - Mr. J Profeit, Forfar.

The game throughout was not at all edifying to look at, and with rain coming on in the second half the 2000 spectators cannot be said to have enjoyed themselves. In the first half, Brechin were the smarter side, exhibiting smart footwork in the outfield, and giving glimpses of good passing, but at goal they were wretchedly weak. Greig, the home custodian, nevertheless, had a few ticklish shots to deal with, and Hunter had a touchline try, which seemed to be over the goal-line before the home keeper cleared. A goal, however, was not allowed. After a dull period, Brechin scored through Milne, the ball being assisted into the net by Greig. Aberdeen, spurred on by the reverse, made several excursions upon Balfour's charge, but the keeper, displaying daring and fearlessness, rushed out and cleared. Aberdeen were drawn to the penalty, Nichol being tripped, but he failed to beat Balfour with the spot kick. Towards the interval both goals were visited, but there was no further scoring, and Brechin deceptive half-time lead of 1-0.

Aggressiveness marked the play of the locals direct from the kick-off, but in Ross and Shand, backed up by practically the whole Brechin team, the net and determined defence. Several long-field efforts from Nichol, Harper, Robertson, and Neilson all went near, but wide off the mark, while muddling lost chances to the homesters at close quarters. There were very exciting passages near Balfour, but despite numerous corners to Aberdeen, the visitors held out. Playing a robust game, the backs never allowed the home forwards to study, and with them working disjointedly it was a little wonder that goals did not come. Several times to Brechin forwards, ably generalled by Glen, swooped down upon Greig, and once the keeper was lucky to save from the centre forward after the backs were beaten. It was not till close upon the finish that Knowles miskicked and caused Balfour to rush out and fist clear, and before he had regained his goal Robertson headed through the equaliser. The game was the poorest seen at Pittodrie the season.

Aberdeen's best men were Harper, the best back afield, Hannah, Robertson, Low. Nichol, who was injured near the finish, was too slow, and was well held. On the Brechin side, the outstanding players were Ross, Shand, Knowles, Lyon, and Glen.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 31st October 1910

The recent exhibitions which the local reserves have given both at home and away led us to expecta much better game than we saw on Saturday, when they opposed Brechin City in a Northern League game. Whatever was the cause of it, the forwards were all at sixes and sevens: seldom did they combine as we have seen them, and had it not been that the defence was good they might have been soundly whacked. brechin have a strong, bustling team, and a pair of backs that could stand up to any amount of gruelling. They got bombarded for a time, which only seemed to whet their appetite for more.

Having worm down the attack for a bit, the Brechiners set about trying to get a goal, and in this they were successful after about thirty minutes' play. The goal was the result of a nasty habit which Hannah has developed of tipping the ball before parting with, and on Saturday he was very smartly tricked at his own game by the visitors. All the same, the goal could have been saved. In their anxiety to score, Aberdeen were awarded a penalty, but the "soldier" was in his "off" humour, and let fly at the goalkeeper without any evident intention of beating him, and Edgar missed a gaping goal.

In the second period they improved somewhat, and from persistent presure Robertson got the equaliser - a soft-looking affair, but it counted, and was more than any of the forwards seemed able to do. Honours even at the finish were no more than the play represented. Brechin's strong point lay in their defence, which kept the Aberdeen van thoroughly in check, and served to make up for a poor forwardd line. The halves were also good, Bob Findlay being the best.
Aberdeen's defendiers were also best, and Robertson the most untiring half on the field. Neilson was neglected on Saturday to a great extent, and was seldom in the picture. Nichol got the ball often enough, but did not know what to do with it when he had it, and had not a decent shot in the match. Hay and Towns were best, and if the crowd would cease from barracking these lads they would get good play out of them.

Source: Bon-Accord, 3rd November 1910