Played at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen, before 1000 spectators, on Saturday afternoon. Teams:-
Aberdeen A: King; Hannah, Stevens; Halkett, J. J. Simpson, Macfarlane; C. V. A. McEchern, Towns, Dalgarno, Ritchie, C. Nelson (Ellon United).
Montrose: Paterson; McKenzie, J. Fenton; Beattie, G. Fenton, Boyd; J. Murray, Ferries, Fairweather, Ford, D. Murray. up to
Referee - Mr. J. Prophet, Forfar.
The homesters got going at the start, I and, following upon a long shot forward by Macfarlane Wilson sent behind. Montrose then bore down on the left, and a dangerous cross by D. Murray was cleared by Simpson. Aberdeen went quickly east, but Nelson underestimated his crossing powers and sent the ball out of play and the other side of the field. From the throw-in, the ball hovered near the visitors' goal, and Dalgarno narrowly missed scoring. Fruitless corners ensued two each side, but for the most part Aberdeen held the advantage. A favorable opportunity was lost on the part of Simpson and Ritchie, who muddled a high a cross by McEchern. Owing to the similarity of the colours of the teams, players were inclined to get confused. After persistent pressure, Towns and drove weekly past the wrong side of the post. McEchern was continually plied with the ball, but he was inclined to have too many direct tries for goal, I and, his shots being of the elevated order, they did not give the other forwards much chance of improving their sides prospects. He had one great shot, however, from the touch line, the ball skimming the bar. Play continued all in favour of Aberdeen, who did everything but score. A long shot from Halkett was missed by the goalkeeper, but he recovered the ball on the post. A foul against Simpson for handling transferred play, and B. Murray, who was the only effective forward on his side, had a spanking run, but the ball was returned. The same player raised the enthusiasm when, a minute later, he beat Halkett, I and, rounding Hannah, sent the ball across King's charge. Fairweather knocked the sphere against King, from whom it rebounded to Ferries, and that players terrific shot struck the post. Play was stopped for a time owing to an injury to Fairweather, but he soon recovered. Montrose continued dangerous for a time, and D. Murray and Fairweather sent good polls over the bar. Near half-time Nelson got off and forced a corner, which he placed finely to Towns, who headed through.
Aberdeen A reappeared in white shirts, and secured a goal direct from the kick-off. Dalgarno burst through, and sent ahead to the right. A race between McEchern and Fenton resulted in the forwards squaring the ball across the goal. Nelson got possession, but, being covered, passed back to Ritchie, who banged the ball through. The homesters thereafter monopolised play, and McEchern, Nelson, Ritchie, Dalgarno, Macfarlane, Halkett, and Hannah all had tries for goal. Ford got off on his own, but his final effort was well held by King. Ritchie at the other end rattled the bar, but the rebound, which came to Towns, was sent to the corner flag. Play was entirely in favour of Aberdeen, and near the close Paterson distinguished himself in the visitors' goal when the masterly manner in which he dealt with shots rained in upon him from practically all the Aberdeen side. Near time Ritchie added a third goal from a cross by McEchern. Gate, £24.
Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 1st March 1909