Aberdeen 1 - 1 Ex-Aberdeen

A benefit match was held at Pittodrie Park yesterday evening for Duff Bruce, the ex Aberdeen back. An Aberdeen team opposed a side mostly composed of ex-Aberdeen players now located across the Border. These included Dr V. F. Milne, the Aston Villa pivot, who is retiring from the game, James Jackson, the Liverpool back, who has entered the ministry, and Alec Reid, the Preston North-End winger.
Weather was fine but chilly and there was an attendance of about 6000.

The visitors attacked at the start and McFarlane sent past while, at the other end, Cheyne let Merrie through to strike the post. Reid, on the visitors right showed a touch of his best form when he tricked Jackson and centred perfectly for Yuill to save from Stevenson. Cheyne on the home right was next to shine with a smart run and centre which Merrie shot into Blackwell's hands.
The ex-Aberdeen players had slightly the better of the exchanges, and Milne, the tall Aston Villa pivot, along with the fair-haired Jackson, of Liverpool, frustrated numerous home raids. Yuill, in the Aberdeen goal, held shots from Reid and Cosgrove, and at the other end Blackwell had to look lively to reach efforts by Merrie and Love. A terrific left-foot drive by Love graced the crossbar, and in a counter-raid by the visitors, McFarlane missed narrowly. Aberdeen almost took the lead when Love let Cheyne through, but Blackwell made a brilliant save. Play swung to the other end, where Yuill made a clever save from Stevenson.

Lively Exchanges.

The ex-Aberdeen players showed up to advantage on the resumption, and Yuill saved a swerving shot from Stevenson. Pressure was rewarded when, after ten minutes, McFarlane tricked McLaren to give the visitors the Lead. This livened things up, and in a brisk raid by the home side, Blackwell threw himself at Love's feet to effect a clever clearance. The ex-Pittodrie players retaliated, and Yuill twice saved with his feet. Shortly afterwards Reid dashed away on the wing and smashed in a great shot, which sailed past. In an Aberdeen rally Love burst through to force a fruitless corner, and McLaren shot past. Shortly before the finish McLaren levelled the score with header off a corner by McKenzie.

Source: Press & Journal, 23rd April 1929