Source: The Scotsman, 4th November 1907
Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 4th November 1907
Fine Play at Pittodrie.
Not since the Autumn Holiday, when Aberdeen defeated Celtic, have we witnessed a game which delighted us more than that of Saturday last, between the local club and Hamilton Academicals. Aberdeen were in rampant form from the start, every movement being carried out in a way that inspired confidence all round the enclosure. There was a troublesome wind, which had to be carefully negotiated, in favour of the visitors during the first period, and though it put the ball more to one side than the other, the play did not suffer to such an extent as it some¬times does. This was due to the centre's work, who, with all his faults at goal, kept his wings, going very well. Prominent at -the start was Macdonald, with two lovely crosses. Each could have been netted with ease had the inside men been on the move earlier. Our idea was that they were afraid of being penalised for being offside. In any case the forwards made splendid progress during the first fifteen minutes, and when O'Hagan's goal did come it was only a just reward for very fine play prior to that. The Academicals were not idle all this time, but their runs towards Macfarlane never appeared to have that cohesion in them which means success. As the game progressed they seemed to lose all spirit of attack, and put themselves out to pre¬vent the home side from scoring at any cost. During a temporary absence from the field of R. Simpson the "Acas." made several good attempts at Macfarlane's goal, but their shooting was wild and erratic. It was at this time that they threw away any chance they had of getting level. Immediately on Simpson returning he scored, then O'Hagan burst through and got penalised, while another shot of his was worth a goal. Murray had a likely try, and then Lennie, who had been doing great things on the wing, cut in with a beauty. Simpson put on a third, and the game, to all intents and purposes, was finished. Aberdeen gave a very fine exhibition all over and were easily the best side on the field.The Players.
On the "Acas'." side there was only one out-standing man, and that was their goalkeeper, Slavin. He put in some very fine work, but was poorly assisted by the backs. The halves were robust in their actions, often bordering on the rough side, while the forwards were, all over, the poorest five we have seen at Pittodrie this season. Every man jack of the Aberdeen side played well. Macfarlane did anything he got to do in a masterful way, while his backs were coolness and pluck personified. The halves were tip-top, and we think the change at half-time was a wise move, and should now be made permanent. The left wing. were dazzling in their work, and the right wing, though not so tricky, were effective, while the centre, bar a hesitancy to shoot on his own, was better than we have yet seen him.Chatty Bits.
There was more life in the play of the Aberdeen on Saturday than we have seen for some weeks back. O'Hagan had the honour of scoring first goal, but it was really Lennie that brought off the coup. We admired " Charlie" for the sportsmanlike way he gave his partner the honour by a hearty handshake. Macintosh was the surprise packet in Aberdeen's half-back line. We have never seen him put so much practical pith behind his work. It would be a difficult matter to displace any of Saturday's team after their display, though we heard murmurs that such things were to happen. The changing of Macintosh to centre-half is a good move, and was the means of two goals. There is no getting away from it that Halket is better on the wing than in the centre. Hamilton Academicals are strong on winning the Qualifying Cup, and they ought to do it now. They have been strengthening their cup tie team in order to do so, and have not been able to play their full league team every week in consequence. A new life seems to have come over the Queen's Park, and once they get properly into their stride, they will make a few sit up. The Rangers have no great love for Hampden Park. Their past few weeks' experience on the classic sward has been any¬thing but profitable from a playing point of view. Southern'Clubs have not exhausted all the junior resources of Aberdeen, Leith Athletic would like to have a deal with a player or two for that matter: Paterson, of the Shamrock, was their object, but as he was ill in bed there was no business done.Source: Bon-Accord, 7th November 1907