Orion 2 - 3 The Aberdeen

Played on the ground of the former before a large attendance of spectators. Notwithstanding the recent excessive rainfall the ground was in fairly good condition, and, as the sun shone steadily throughout, the game was very successful, both from a player's and a spectator's point of view. The teams lined up as follows: Orion: Watson; Ross, Scott; Currie, Low, Wight; Duncan, Murphy, Hogg, Leggat, Stephen. Aberdeen: Ritchie; John Davidson, Thomson; Mackie, Joe Davidson, Thomson; Livingstone, Linton, Cameron, Gray, Shiach. Orion settled on the ball quickly, and were soon pressing. Ritchie, with a powerful kick, relieved, but Low returned smartly, and Duncan opened the scoring for the home team. Aberdeen retaliated, and for a time proved, but again Ritchie had to kick strongly to save his goal. A determined rush by the Whites was successful, and Livingstone equalised. Both ends were visited in rapid succession, and, amid great enthusiasm, Stephen put his side one up. Aberdeen again pressed, but were unable to score.

On resuming, Aberdeen pressed vigorously, and in a few minutes equalised, Shiach easily beating Watson from a neat pass by Linton. Shortly after Leggat was penalised for charging Ritchie in the Whites' goalmouth. From the kick Aberdeen again pressed, and neat play was shown by their forward line. Stephen, one of the Orion Reserves, was playing a sterling game on the left wing, eluding the halves and backs time after time. Aberdeen at length obtained the lead. Gray scoring with a splendid shot. Orion now played desperately, and soon got round their opponents' goal. Joe Davidson relieved, but the Stripes again pressed, and forced a corner, which, however, proved fruitless. Desultory play followed for a time, and the game became uninteresting. Towards the end Orion made vigorous efforts to equalise; but, if anything, the Whites had the best of the game.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 2nd May 1898