Aberdeen 2 - 1 St Johnstone

At Pittodrie yesterday, before 1000 spectators. Teams:-

Aberdeen A: Macfarlane; Hannah, Brebner; Davidson, Simpson, Drain; Macdonald, Mckinley, Collins, Ritchie, Robertson.
St Johnstone: Cant; Turner, Hannah; McKenzie, Sampson, Coull; Lavery, Cameron, Moir, Anderson, Clinton.
Referee - Mr. Baird, Montrose.

Saint Johnston played with the wind behind them, and immediately made tracks for Macfarlane. Hannah relieved, and the Aberdeen forwards did some fine work in the open. The locals pressed for a time, and then were strictly on the defensive, Hannah handled within the penalty area, and the visitors were awarded a penalty. Anderson took the kick, and Rab saved. Play was even for a time. Coull had an imaginary grievance against Macdonald, and on every opportunity did his best to pick a quarrel with the right winger, until the referee thought right to administer a word of warning to the hot-blooded Saint. Collins was playing well in centre. He gave Cant a troublesome shot, which the keeper had some difficulty in disposing of. The visitors' goal was subjected to a perfect bombardment - backs, halves, and forwards having shots, which were usually blocked or kicked into touch. Saint Johnston now took up the running, and Macfarlane had to be on the alert. Rab up to saved brilliantly on some occasions. There was nothing very special in the first half, no brilliant football but plenty of temper. Aberdeen, if anything, had slightly the better of exchanges.

Saint Johnston immediately attacked on resuming, but the local backs never allowed them to get too near Macfarlane. Ritchie got possession, and made rings round Turner, and had a shot for goal which went inches wide. Macdonald forced a corner, which proved fruitless, the ball being sent directly over the bar. Aberdeen returned and Macdonald had hard luck. The right winger played himself into position, and hit the outside of the net. Saint Johnston travelled west, and Macfarlane saved too high shots in succession. Hannah relieved, and a cleverly-taken shot from McKinley all but found the net. Fine combination again lead Aberdeen away. A fine centre from Macdonald was neatly headed across to Robertson by Collins, and the former promptly gave Aberdeen the lead. The Aberdeen halves of footing in a lot of work. A splendid attempt by Robertson was fisted out by the custodian. Davidson obtained, and let drive. The ball found its way through a crowd of players and into the net. Aberdeen monopolised play for a time. Along short by Brebner was headed out by Turner, and the ball was sent out to Macdonald, who landed the sphere on the top of the net. Lavery finished a good run, by sending past. A minute later the same player repeated his performance. At the other end Turner gave away a corner. J. J. Simpson had a great shot, which the custodian held. The only part of the visitors' forward line and could make any impression of Paul was the left wing. Hannah had a warm afternoon keeping them in check. A fouled close in against Aberdeen looked dangerous. A scramble in front of Rab resulted, and everyone including Rab himself, was surprised when it was found but the ball was not in the net. Corner was gained by the saints. Collins cleared with an overhead kick and chased after the ball. Hannah chimed in, and gave Macfarlane a rocket shot to hold. Saint Johnston brightened up considerably, and infused much more life into their play, with the result that Aberdeen were busy defending for a spell. Anderson found himself 6 yards from goal, with only Macfarlane to beat. He hesitated and was lost, for Brebner rushed across the field and cleared in an amazingly dangerous fashion. Aberdeen did not get down on Cant for some time, play being confined for the most part to midfield. A solo run by Macdonald resulted in a corner. The ball was sailing into goal when the goalkeeper fisted out, and Turner's sent up the field. Three feet from goal Clinton missed the ball, and Anderson did likewise the next minute. Collins was working earnestly, and several times had hard lines. And dash up the field resulted in Anderson beating Macfarlane with a low, straight shot. Saint Johnston continued to press, but could not draw level.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 21st April 1908

St. Johnstone Lose a Brace.

By their defeat on Monday at Pittodrie, the Saints have practically lost their chance of the championship, which in all probability will now go to Brechin City. No one could have doubted the earnestness of the Saints for the points on Monday, for they set about the Aberdeen Reserves as if they meant to wipe them off the slate altogether. It appeared to us as if their eagerness spoiled several of their chances, for Macfarlane, who kept goal for the A team, kept coaching the men in front to such purpose that the Saints gradually lost their grip. Even a penalty granted the visitors proved of no avail for "Rab" saved everything that came his way. A blank first half was the record, but the second period was not long begun before Aberdeen were one up, and when Davidson had scored a second the pace slackened a bit. Just before time the Saints made a spurt and managed to beat Macfarlane, whose saving throughout was brilliant.

Source: Bon-Accord, 23rd April 1908