The Aberdeen 2 - 1 Montrose

Montrose paid Aberdeen a visit at Chanonry under League auspices. A good team travelled north, and the Chanonry team was also pretty strong. Play at the commencement was of an even nature, both ends being visited in turn. Aberdeen secured a corner, which, however, came to nothing. Montrose managed to get the ball into the net. but offside robbed them of the point . J. Mackie opened the scoring for the Whites with a good shot. Before the interval Gray put on a second goal. On resuming play got rather forcible. Ritchie did some good saving in the Whites' goal. After considerable pressure, Fraser got one into the net for the visitors. The game was exciting up to the finish, but no further scoring took place, and Aberdeen annexed the two points, by 2 goals to 1.

Source: Bon-Accord. 24th February 1898

Short Kicks

Aberdeen secured a much needed two points at the expense of Montrose.
Joe Davidson was absent from the ranks of the Whites. " Williams" made a grand substitute.
The Aberdeen forward line is in very fine form at present. Shiach and Clark put in some grand work. The others were very little behind.
The halves worked hard, Thomson being if anything most successful.
John Davidson and McConnochie at back gave a good display.
Ritchie was the hero of the game. He was head and shoulders above all others. His saving all through could not have been improved on.
Bowman at back, although rather forcible at times, was best for Montrose. The forwards also put in some smart work, but Ritchie was one too many for them.
Billy Clark of the Aberdeen has, we understand, signed a League form for Derby County. We doubt he is rather old to turn out such a player as McConnochie, the ex-Vic, is.

Source: Bon-Accord. 24th February 1898

Played at Chanonry on Saturday before a good turnout of spectators. The ground was in fair condition, and the weather ideal for football. The teams were: Aberdeen: Ritchie; Davidson, Maconnachie; Henderson, C. W. Mackie, Thomson; Livingstone, Gray, J. Mackie, Clark, Shiach. Montrose: Bowman; Bowman, McPherson; Lamb, Burgess, Mackintosh; Murray, Hardy, Fraser, Watson, Petrie. Mr Simpson, Aberdeen, was referee. Aberdeen won the toss, and Montrose kicked off up field, but the pass was intercepted, and for a time give-and-take play in midfield prevailed. Gradually assuming the aggressive, Aberdeen forced two corners, but Bowman succeeded both times in clearing his lines, and giving his forwards a chance. A neat run by Murray and Hardy ended in Ritchie receiving a warm shot from the latter player, which he had some difficulty in negotiating. A few minutes later, the ball was near the Montrose custodian, and a foul granted the Aberdonians almost ended in a goal, the ball just passing the wrong side of the uprights. The Chanonry men kept pressing; and, as the result of a fine passing bout, scored their first goal. Some time after, Gray notched a second point from a scrimmage. At half-time, play was in midfield, and the score was: Aberdeen, 2 goals; Montrose, nil.

Montrose roused up considerably in the second half, and play ruled very even. Then the visitors had some very fine runs down, and Ritchie had several times to fist well to keep his goal intact. Eventually Fraser reduced the lead by scoring from about thirty yards out, the ball striking the cross-bar and falling into the net. This success greatly encouraged the visitors, and the Aberdeen back division were kept hard at work. Watson especially had hard lines in not scoring off a neat centre from Murray, but Ritchie was on the alert, and was not to be again beaten. Play with the Aberdeen forwards was monopolized by the extreme wing men and Mackie in centre. A high shot from Shiach nearly found its mark, but Bowman saved with difficulty, and, in returning the ball, Livingstone kicked high over the bar. Towards the end play got more even, both ends being visited in turn. Ritchie, in goal, was conspicuous for the Aberdeen, his saving being enthusiastically applauded, The home forwards rarely got past the opposing backs.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 21st February 1898