The Aberdeen 6 - 2 St. Johnstone

Aberdeen should have played Dundee Wanderers, but as the Wanderers had to play a Scottish Tie, the Whites were without a League fixture. A friendly was arranged with St Johnstone of Perth, a team who have not visited Aberdeen very frequently lately. The Whites started with rare dash, and it was not long ere Livingston opened the scoring with a perfect, beauty. Aberdeen had by far the best of the first half, and before the interval, put on other two goals through Shiach and Gray. The second half opened badly for the visitors, C. W. Mackie scoring in less than a minute from the kick-off. Play began to get more equal, the visitors brightening up considerably. Notwithstanding this, Aberdeen had the match in hand, and put on other two points, Shiach and Mackie being responsible. Towards the close St Johnstone scored twice, the first being knocked past Ritchie by McConnachie. A good game ended Aberdeen 6, St Johnstone 2.

Short Kicks.

The Whites fully deserved their victory. They seem to improve every week The forwards and halves showed good judgment all through.
Ritchie kept a good goal, but the backs at times did not return so strongly as we have seen them.
The Whites tackle Forfar at Forfar on Saturday, and should give the home team a hot ninety minutes' work.

Source: Bon-Accord, 27th January 1898

St Johnstone, the well-known Perthshire club, visited Chanonry. and played Aberdeen in a friendly match before a fairly large attendance. The opening stages of the game were much in favour of the ground team, who started the ball eastwards. The visitors halves were weak, and their right back made several palpable blunders before the game had been long under way. The Aberdeen forwards, led in fine style by C. W. Mackie, did not fail to take advantage of this weakness in the St Johnstone's defence, and scored two goals in quick succession, Stevenson being responsible for the first and Shiach for the second point. St Johnstone made several inroads on Aberdeen territory, but they were invariably repulsed by John Davidson and McConnachie, and when the players happened to have been beaten, Ritchie, in goal, was always equal to the occasion. The teams crossed over with Aberdeen leading by three goals to nil, the third point for the home team being got by Cray.

Immediately on hostilities being returned, the Aberdeen forwards made off all together, and scored at once. Other two goals soon followed for Aberdeen. The visitors now made a determined effort in turn the tide, and they were so far successful, for, after a few passages in front of Ritchie, one of their forwards scored with a beauty, a second goal following soon afterwards. The remaining part of the game was, if anything, in favour of the St Johnstone.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 24th January 1898