Forfar Athletic 3 - 2 The Aberdeen

The Aberdeen usually make a good appearance at Forfar, and Saturday's game was no exception to the rule. Playing against the wind - or rather the hurricane - the Whites fully held their own, and at half time were leading by 2 goals to 1. Ritchie's magnificent goalkeeping was the feature of this half.
Playing down hill the Aberdeen seldom allowed Forfar past half field, but the ball went everywhere save through the goal. Once it was netted but it was disallowed. Forfar's first visit to the other end resulted disastrously for the Aberdeen. Henderson fouled about a couple of yards outside the twelve yards line, and no one was more surprised than the Forfar men when the referee gave a penalty kick, from which they scored. Aberdeen played up after this, but the goal that was to win never came, and from Forfar's third visit to Aberdeen's end this half they scored a third goal. The game thus, ended in favour of Forfar by 3 goals to 2.

Short Kicks.

It was exceedingly hard lines on the Aberdeen to get beaten by a goal after having four-fifths of the play.
The referee, Mr Davidson, Lochee, it was remarked, was surely thinking of his own team being wooden spoonists when he gave Forfar that penalty kick.
The Whites visit Peterhead on Saturday.

Source: Bon-Accord, 3rd February 1898

These teams met in a Northern League match on Station Park, Forfar, before a large attendance of spectators. The weather was stormy, a strong wind blowing from the west. The teams were: Forfar: Soutar; Thomson, Davidson, Cable, McFarlane, Campbell; Prophet, Bett, Couttie, Beath, Shepherd. Aberdeen: Ritchie; McConnachie, Drummond; Henderson. Davidson, Mackie; Doyle, Gray, J. Clark. W. Clark, Shiach. Soon after the start Aberdeen got up, and W. Clark beat Soutar with a good shot. A long kick from Davidson, the Forfar back, landed the ball at the opposing goalmouth, and Bett rushed it through, thus equalising. The visitors were playing a strong game against the wind, and repelled all the Forfar attacks. Aberdeen came away with a smart run, but were pulled up for off-side. Bett had a fine individual run, and sent in a beauty, but Ritchie again saved. Forfar secured three corners in quick succession, but none of them were converted. The visitors again had a run up field, and were granted a corner, from which they put in their second goal. No further scoring took place in this period, and the half ended: Aberdeen 2, Forfar 1.

The teams crossed over without leaving the field, and in a couple of minutes after restarting an Aberdeen man, in a tussle in front of the Forfar goal, knocked the ball through with his hand. Forfar paid a brief visit to the Aberdeen goal, but the visitors were playing a fine defensive game - a marked contrast to the Forfar backs, who were sadly off colour. For tripping up by an Aberdeen player, a penalty kick was awarded Forfar, and Bett was as successful as he was last week in netting the ball. This put new life into Forfar, and the backs played a somewhat surer game. In the closing minutes of the game the Forfar forwards got away beautifully, the passing being perfect. Prophet centred, and a hard shot was sent in to the goalkeeper. The Forfar forwards rushed in, and gave the home team the lead. Forfar continued to press, and the whistle sounded with the score standing: Forfar Athletic, 3; Aberdeen, 2.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 31st January 1898