Aberdeen 2 - 4 Dumbarton

Dumbarton were well worth their two goal win at Aberdeen. Their forwards, playing fast, clever football, led the home defence a merry dance. J. Wyllie scored in two minutes for Aberdeen, but Cairney, the Dumbarton centre, equalised ten minutes later, and before he gave his side the lead fifteen minutes before the interval, the Boghead men were wearing down the home defence. Reid added to the lead, and J. Wyllie missed a penalty. In the second half Cairney scored again, and Aberdeen were lucky to get their second point, the referee holding that Miller in clearing a shot turned over the line with the ball. The spectators numbered 2000.

Source: The Scotsman, 12th March 1917

The Dumbarton surprise to Aberdeen and everybody else, including, probably, themselves, by winning 4-2 at Pittodrie. Aberdeen were strong, although without Cail, but after showing good form for half-an-hour they fell off, and Dumbarton, high younger, lighter, faster, and more spirited lot, one on their merits. Kerr may, their centre, had three goals.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 12th March 1917

Dumbarton were clear winners at Pittodrie. Aberdeen had out a strong side, too, for Cail and ambler were absent, big John Wyllie, the hero of the Rangers' defeat, was again at centre, and Donald Colman was at back. For a time it looked as if the board head men would be overmatched. J. Wyllie opened the scoring in 2 minutes, and continued to give the opposition a lot of trouble, while the home defence literally brushed aside the Dumbarton light-weight forwards. Even after Cairney had given the visitors the equaliser Aberdeen did quite well against the wind. Cairney, whose plucky leadership was a feature all through, got the leading point a quarter of an hour from the interval, and after that the western side really never looked back. And J. Wyllie converted a penalty which came Aberdeen's way just on the interval the result might have been somewhat different, but Millar could not help saving the kick, and when, 5 minutes after resuming, Cairney found the net for the third time the game was as good as won.
Dumbarton were the nippier side. They were full of goal, and word goalwards all the time. The forward lines provided the strongest contrast, the Dumbarton five moving with rare spirit. Moir was not up to his usual in the home rear guard, but the others did well. Cairney was the most prominent amongst the visitors.

Source: Dundee Courier, 12th March 1917