Heart of Midlothian 1 - 3 Aberdeen

For the second week in succession, the Heart of Midlothian were occupied at Tynecastle with the East of Scotland League competition, and, as on the previous Saturday, they were without several of their ordinary team, notably Thomson, Walker and G. Wilson, who were playing in the League International at Chelsea. The team was, as a week ago, composed mainly of reserves, and the attendance was not large. Shortly after the start, which was made in fine weather conditions, Reid shot to MacFarlane, who temporarily cleared, but Williamson from some way out followed up, and scored a clever goal with a fine punt. Aberdeen did not work too well together at the start, but they gradually made headway, and, after Mackie had shot, striking the upright, and Lennie had called on McTurk, McAulay, from twenty yards' range, scored a splendid goal. The Hearts attacked, and MacFarlane conceded a corner, which proved fruitless, and at the other end McAulay, just before the interval, added a second for the visitors. Half-time: Aberdeen, two goals; Hearts, one goal.
In the opening minutes of the second half, Lennie, after a good run, scored a grand goal from an awkward angle. The home men attacked several times, but lacked direction and precision near goal, and altogether their football was inferior to that of the Aberdonians. But for their defence, the Hearts would have been more heavily defeated. Result:- Aberdeen, three goals; Heart of Midlothian, one goal. The gate money amounted to £68, and the stands realised £6.

Source: The Scotsman, 1906-03-26

In a sporting sense Aberdeen were playing for high stakes on Saturday bv dividing their players in two very important games. That they came out with "flying colours" says a great deal for the manner in which the teams were split up and harmonised for the events engaged in. There was some dubiety at League headquarters as to the ability of either side coming out winners, but the final toot of the whistle saw the Hearts defeated it Tynecastle and the strong team of the Northern League routed at Pittodrie.

At Tynecastle the weather was cold and threatening when the teams took the field. The Hearts were without Walker, Thomson and Wilson, who were in the League International, and Philips, the usual custodian, was having a rest for the Cup Ties. Aberdeen were without the brothers Low, Halket, and Gault, so that they started level in point of absentees. Once the ball was set in motion there was a splutter towards "Mac." for a minute or two, when the defence sent the "Maroons" away to clear their own end. A surprise was in store for Aberdeen when the right half made a fine cross shot which caught "Rab" on the hop. With a will the "black and gold" went for McTurk, who saved in a miraculous manner several times. "Good old McAulav" succeeded in doing the trick which was wanted to secure the verdict on play, and when Mackie took another pass and converted from the inside right the game looked safe. The start of the second period saw Lennie race away, and nimbly getting round the defence he planted the ball in the corner. The Hearts' supporters looked on in dismay. There was no slackening of efforts till towards the close, when the Hearts got on a spell of pressure which proved abortive. Aberdeen winning the points - by 3 goals to 1.

Chatty Bits.

Rab Macfarlane had his day off. and could not resist the temptation of walking the line. Just to see the 'boys" win.
Tait, who kept goal at Pittodrie did not impress me as one fit to take Frank Barret's place.
It was with extreme regret that I learned at Pittodrie on Saturday of Barret's illness.
I had no knowledge that he had been ill, but hope, he will have a speedy recovery.
Talking about goalkeepers, I should advise Aberdeen to keep their weather eye on Mutch, of Inverurie. A very fine custodian could be made of this fellow, if properly looked after.
The catch of the fag-end of the season has been the brothers Simpson. They both played very fine football on Saturday, and further enhanced their reputations at Pittodrie.
I understand there are a few others who are on the list as likely lads to be given a chance shortly.
Next week the first of the night matches takes place, when a pack of the juniors oppose the Aberdeen. The proceeds are to be devoted to the funds of the Junior Association and League.
Then comes the Norwood from London, who are to play T. T. Fitchie, and they are reputed to be a very fine combination.
A meeting of the East of Scotland League to arrange the remaining fixttures is to be held in Edinburgh this week.
Aberdeen have still to play Falkirk, Hibs, and Leith Athletic in this competition.
If time permits Aberdeen will have a tour of the North seeing that their English project has fallen through.
There are also Inter-City League fixtures to get through along with the A team ones. Everything points to a big rush before the 15th of May comes round.
Booking for the Internationial trip is going on briskly, and there is every indication that a goodly number of spectators will travel to Glasgow. I understand that the Fraserburgh, Ellon, and District excursion is a practical certainty.
If the A team does not get on a fixture, a few of them are to go to the International.
There is every appearance that there will be a record crowd at New Hampden Park. The Queen's are busy making every preparation.
Dundee expect to have a big following with them on Saturday, as Monday is the Spring Holiday.
The "At Home"' was a brilliant function on Tuesday night. The Committee deserved the thanks of those present for their nice arrangements.
It will be hard on Aberdeen A if they have to go without a fixture on Saturday. At the time of writing nothing had been lined up for them. They have only three games to play in the League, Lochee United being the only away fixture, and, as the latter are engaged for Saturday at Lochgelly, the" A's" may be idle for the afternoon.
The opinion round Port-Glasgow is that the Hearts will require to put more dash into their play before they can secure the cup. Third Lanark came away in time and saved the situation. They have a stronger chance in their own enclosure.
If the Third do get into the final they will make the Hearts go all the way. My impression is that St. Mirren have lost the chance, but there is no saying.
There is now the usual tapering-off in the League table, and places are at present being fixed for good. Queen's Park, Hibs, and Dundee all put up their League shutters for this season on Saturday.
A strong effort is being made in the West to have the Scottish League First Division increased to eighteen clubs. In this case Clyde, who have finished second this season, are pushing their claims for promotion. No doubt, Leith Athletic will be also at it, seeing they have this season the double honours of being Second League champions and Qualifying Cup Holders.

Source: Bon-Accord, 5th April 1906

The directors of the Aberdeen football club had to face a big task on Saturday in footing too strong teams onto the field - one against the Heart of Midlothian at Edinburgh, and the other against a selected team representing the Northern League at Pittodrie. The teams sent to Edinburgh was the stronger of the two, and won a keenly-contested game by 3 goals to 1. The hearts were weak owing to three of the players being in the League team against England. The weather was fine, and between 3000 and 4000 spectators witnessed the game. The teams were:-
Aberdeen: Macfarlane; Boyle, Brebner; Davidson, Strang, Robertson; Robertson, McAulay, Mackie, Henderson, Lennie.
Heart of Midlothian: McTurk; McNaught, D. Philip; Williamson, Chapman, Dickson; Cooper, Waugh, Menzies, Brown, Reid.
Referee - Mr. RT Murray, Stenhousemuir.

Notwithstanding splendid tackling by Strang, the Hearts' centre broke away and sent over to read, who gave Macfarlane a hot one to hold. The Aberdeen goalkeeper succeeded in stopping the ball, but no more. The game was very interesting, and was being as keenly contested as any league match of the season. Williamson scored a lovely goal for the Hearts' from far out 10 minutes from the start. It was a chance shot, and went high into the corner of the net, and Macfarlane had no chance with it. Henderson forced a corner from McNaught, but nothing resulted. After McAulay had been given off side, Mackie had a couple of shots, one of which brought McTurk out to save, the goalkeeper clearing cleverly. The northerners got in a little more pressure, and tried hard to equalise. Mackie shot hard from a little way out, but the shot struck the upright. Lennie got it on the rebound, and tipped lightly in, but McTurk struck out in time, the attack being eventually broken down. Mackie followed with another good effort, and McAulay, after a smart piece of play, scored a clever goal from 20 yards out. McNaught punted to the other end, and read forced a corner, from which Macfarlane saved after Menzies had headed in. Hearts' again attacked briskly, and Cooper gave Macfarlane a low shot, which the custodian cleared. Playing cleverly along the line, the visiting forwards again made for the home end, and McNaught stopped a shot from Mackie, but Mcaulay shot hard, the ball cannoning off Mackie's foot into the net.

Shortly after the resumption of play, Aberdeen, playing tricky, clever football, did pretty much as they liked, and it was only what they deserved by Lennie, accepting a pass, beat McNaught on the run, and scored a splendid goal from an awkward angle. The Hearts struggled hard to again get even, but they had met their masters, but could not beat Aberdeen's grand defence, although there were a number of exciting scrimmages close in on Macfarlane. Two corners were forced by the Hearts in rapid succession, but the defence prevailed, and from this point to the end of the game Aberdeen forced the pace, and Lennie and Mackie almost scored again. Just on time Macfarlane saved a hot shot from Waugh.

Aberdeen were the better team, and deserved their victory. Gate, £68 5s 3d; stands, £6.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 26th March 1906

N.B. This is fixture is listed in Jim Rickaby's excellent "Aberdeen the Complete Record 1903-1987" as an Inter City Cup tie but as can be seen from the match report above this was not the case - it was definitely an East of Scotland League fixture. AFCHT