The Aberdeen 1 - 1 Arbroath

Notwithstanding the greater attraction at Cattofield there was a good attendance at Pittodrie Park n Saturday afternoon to witness the meeting of the Aberdeen and Arbroath teams in a Northern League fixture. The teams lined up as follows:- Aberdeen: Bisset; Walker, Ross; Sangster, Thomson, Drummond; Bruce, C. Mackie, Murphy, Buchan, J. Mackie. Arbroath: Strachan; Carrie, Ferguson; McGlashan, Mather, Macnaughton; Black, Middleton, Axford, Willock, Fairley. Mr. McLeod, Springburn, was referee.

Aberdeen started well and gave the visitors' defence a great deal of trouble. A break-away by Arbroath came to nothing, and they again had to act on the defensive. Arbroath now showed up better, and Axford succeeded in opening the scoring with a rather soft shot, the ball passing over Bisset's head into the net. Thus encouraged, Arbroath continued to press, but Bisset was not to be beat on a second occasion. Half-time arrived with the visitors leading ay a single goal.

On resuming Aberdeen made a spirited attack, which, however, proved fruitless. The visitors' goalkeeper was frequently tested, but he played well in goal. Aberdeen showed poor combination, the forward play being not at all what it might have been. The forwards were well fed by the backs, but were slow to take advantage of opportunities. It was not until near the close of the game that Murphy, with a long, high shot, succeeded in equalising, and the game ended in a draw.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 6th October 1902