The Aberdeen 2 - 1 Orion

In anticipation of seeing a rattling tussle between these opponents a fairly large crowd assembled at Pittodrie Ground on Saturday afternoon. The weather was cold, but it was a splendid November day, suitable for the players who lined up as follows:- Aberdeen: Bisset; Walker, Ross; J. Mackie, Thomson, Murphy; Buchan, Breslin, Woodlock, Taylor, Shiach. Orion: Shand; Mathieson, Brebner; Low, Campbell, Esplin; Shand, Fraser, Esplin, Henderson, Burnett.

Though Orion, who kicked off, were blocked and returned at the start by the opposing half-backs, they were soon on the ball again, Woodlock having a journey "on his own," and Shand being asked to clear. Play for several minutes was then kept in the Orion end, the slowness being latterly enlivened by a break away by Shand. who, after passing everybody, crossed nicely. The goal looked a gift to them now, but Henderson's try was wide. Henderson still kept hovering close at hand, however, intent on making up for his blunder, and passed on a nice placed ball to Lawrie, who notched the first point with ease. It was now Aberdeen's turn. A corner fell to them from a rocket shot by J. Mackie, and from this time on Aberdeen showed improved form, play being steady and at times clever. Their first goal was registered by Breslin, who sent in a tidy shot, but one that might have been saved. Shand elected to stop its course with his hands instead of his feet, but it came in nearer the ground than he expected, and, spinning from his grasp, struck the post and rolled into the net. This made the game even - and there was no alteration on this result when the whistle sounded for half-time.

On resuming, Aberdeen again displayed the ascendency they had steadily been discovering to the spectators as the game advanced. The front line had, if anything, more dash and daring, Shiach, Breslin, and the new player, Woodlock, playing effectively together. Several times Shand had nearly let some telling tries past him, and the interest in the contest got a fillip in the expectation of a hot finish. The visits of the Orion to the other end were like those of angels' by this time, the one or two long shots by their halves representing all the team could manage to get in an aggressive way, and these were negotiated by the strong kicking of Walker and Ross. Aberdeen were beginning to show a little slackness, but about ten minutes from the close Woodlock, from a pass from Breslin, added a second goal. The last minutes were crammed full of clever work, done with dash and brilliancy by the Aberdeen team, but they failed, however, to score again and the game finished - Aberdeen, 2 goals; Orion, 1 goal. Mr. Milne, Kirkcaldy, acted as referee.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 24th November 1902