Aberdeen 0 - 0 Dumbarton

The match at Aberdeen, where Dumbarton were the visitors, took place before 6000 people. Play in the first half was uninteresting, but excitement was not lacking in the second, when Aberdeen for the most part pressed, and the Dumbarton goal ran many narrow escapes. The defences were always superior to the attacks. Hamilton in the Dumbarton goal acquitted himself with credit, and was well supported by Ritchie and McAlpine. Aberdeen were well served by Colman, Hume, and Chatwin. Neither attack impressed..

Source: The Scotsman, 23rd November 1914

If the play of their forwards had been on a level with that of the defence, Aberdeen would have got more than a point out of their goalless draw with Dumbarton. The match attracted about 5000 spectators, and these were treated to a well-contested, but by no means brilliant exhibition of football. In the first half, except for one or two outstanding incidents, both teams gave a rather listless display, but the encounter became much more interesting in the second period. Shortly after the start McLeod lost a fine opportunity to score for Aberdeen, as after getting past the backs, he shot indiscriminately, and Hamilton saved. Murray lost an equally good chance for Dumbarton, and Ferguson was unfortunate to be given offside when Travers had manoeuvred finely for him, but there was little to enthuse over in the period, both defences having the measure of the opposing attack.

For lengthy periods in the second half the Dumbarton goal withstood a veritable bombardments, but was proof against all the Aberdeen attacks. Hamilton in goal distinguished himself greatly and if rather daring on occasion, his efforts were crowned with success. In keeping his goal intact he was helped greatly by the bad marksmanship and hesitancy to shoot on the part of the Aberdeen forwards, but there were times when Aberdeen, with all their faults, were downright unlucky. Chatwin, Cail, the Archibald all had scoring shots stopped in the goalmouth, and on several occasions the ball bobbed up and down in close proximity to Hamilton, but went anywhere but through the goal. The finishing of the Dumbarton forwards was not a whit better, but the defence came out of a trying ordeal with flying colours, and all the credit for the draw. Hamilton was the outstanding man in the side, but McAlpine and Ritchie made a dogged back division. The half line worked hard, and Thom, outside left, was the most prominent forward. Travers, the ex-Aberdeen player, played craftily in the first half, but was not seen two advantage in the second. On the Aberdeen side Anderson acquitted himself well, and Colman and Hume were steady, as usual. The half back line was the strongest department of the team. Chatwin played a strong forcing game throughout, and Brewster played quite well, and had more scope for his undoubted ability at centre half and in his old position of win half. McLauchlan played his usual effective and methodical game. Wylie, at outside right, was the most effective forward, but the line lacked a strong, bustling leader, and an opportunist.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 23rd November 1914