Aberdeen 4 - 0 Peterhead

Fleming Charity Shield final tie at Aberdeen, before a poor attendance. Aberdeen scored three times in the first half, and once in the second. Result :- Aberdeen, four goals; Peterhead, nothing.

Source: The Scotsman, 4th May 1908

Peterhead were the visitors at Pittodrie on Saturday, when they met Aberdeen in the final tie for custody of the Fleming Charity Shield. The weather was disagreeable, and there was a small attendants when the team lined up as follows under the supervision of Mr. A watt, Aberdeen:-

Aberdeen: Mutch; Colman, Hume; Anderson, Muir, Low; McPherson, R. Simpson, Lennie, O'Hagan, Jeffrey.
Peterhead: Pyper; Jaffrey, Philip; Macintosh, Davidson, Thompson; Imlah, and Scott, Ross, Cadger, Buchan.

The local team was experimental in some respects, and the crowd seemed to be highly amused when Lennie was seen in the pivot's position, with Muir behind him as centre half. It was no laughing matter for Aberdeen at the start, however, for the strangers bore down on the right in a very business-like fashion, and it was as much as the defence could do to combat the nicely-combined invasion of the Blue's front line. Low and Hume were kept busy, and only heavy, harassing work on their part kept the northern lads from getting a direct pot at Mutch's charge. The visiting halves played well to their van, but a sudden dash by the Aberdeen right turned the tide, and McPherson opened a long bombardment on Pyper's citadel. The custodian had nothing serious to deal with for a time, most of the shots sent in being either blocked by the backs or wide of the mark. Jaffrey and Philip were a dour pair, and at last the ball was worked up the field, where Imlah made good progress, and tried some long punting. His efforts were well directed, but when they reached Mutch they were without sting, and easily disposed of. It was Jeffrey who once more turned the tide to Pyper's end, and one could almost imagine that it was Lennie who was on the wing from the speed and tactics of the outside man, whose namesake on the Peterhead defence was continually in deep water. On one occasion the winger got over a splendid cross, and Simpson drove hard for the net. Pyper got in the way however, and blocked the ball rather luckily. Yet again Jeffray sped down the margin of the field, and centred to Lennie, who took the ball forward a few yards, and finished with a high shot which just sailed under the bar. From the kick-off, O'Hagan again let his partner away, and in a trice the ball found the net, Lennie getting in a straight high drive which struck the underside of the bar and darted into the goal. The second point was soon followed by a third, and there was something humorous in the way it came. Jeffrey passed in with his usual deadly precision, and the sphere landed at Simpson's foot. Bobby was only a yard from the goal line, and quite uncovered. He stood for an instant with the ball at his foot and then quietly slipped it to one side of Pyper and into goal, the keeper standing idly in front, a surprised and helpless spectator of the incident. The repeated reverses seemed to take the heart out to the strangers, and their middle line appeared to be anxious only to prevent further scoring. The forwards swooped made occasional attempts to get at Mutch, but on both wings they were easily checkmated.

When the game was resumed O'Hagan and Simpson changed places, and while the Irishman evidently enjoyed himself, he was not so much at home on the right wing. By this time there was little in the game but fun, and Lennie was the principle contributor in this respect. He was continually in the thick of it, rushing and doubling on his own tracks, and completely outwitting the Blues' defence without making any serious attempt at finding the net. O'Hagan had practically an open goal, but he just scraped the top of the ball with his foot. A minute later he tried a long shot without success, and then the strangers made off on the left. Buchan made good headway, and had Ross not overrun the cross he had every chance of breaking through the home defence and getting an easy shot at Mutch. His effort was followed by some good tries on the Peterhead left, but Aberdeen could afford to do things easily, and Colman generally managed to repulse the attack. Hume was in a sportive mood, and frequently did some dribbling, one of these invasions on his part practically leading up to the next goal for Aberdeen. About midfield the back gave the ball to Lenny, who dodged round the halves, and then finished with a long drive. Pyper made a big effort to reach the ball, it slipped through his hands and found a resting place in the corner of the net. The remainder of the game was easily controlled by Aberdeen, but no further scoring took place.

The drawings amounted to about £15.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 4th May 1908

The Finale.

Season 1907-08 closed on Saturday, when the final tie for the Fleming Charity Shield was played between Aberdeen and Peterhead. Apart altogether from the game, we were dis¬appointed at the meagreness of the spectators on this occasion. The opposition may not have been considered strong enough by those who like a keen game, but the cause was worthy of support, and when you get players willing to stay for a few days to take part in the competition, they deserve to get support though they derive no benefit by it themselves. The, play on Saturday, after the first ten minutes, proved rather one-sided; still we saw many touches to admire, and, generally speaking, the game was interesting. Peterhead played up well at the start, and, had success come their way, might have done better. After their fruitless incursions towards Mutch had subsided for a bit, there was a lot of juggling on the left wing by O'Hagan, Jaffray, and Lennie, which ultimately ended in the ex-Leith player sending a lovely cross which Lennie crashed into the net. This was the beginning, and other two similar efforts on the part of the outside left let Lennie and then Simpson score, so that lemon time arrived with, the register showing three goals in favour of Aber¬deen, while Peterhead had failed to get on the target. The visitors did not show up so well in the second half, and the home players took matters very easy. Lennie kept the fun going by some splendid trickery, and, with three men hanging on to him, scored a goal from a difficult position. Charlie O'Hagan changed places by crossing to the right wing, and kept McPherson well plied with the ball, but the defence proved too strong for the Macduff man to break down, though he put in some good shots. Nothing further of note occurred, the game ending Aberdeen 4, Peterhead 0.

Chatty Bits.

The Aberdeen Charities will not benefit a great deal by the competition this year.
After the recent surfeit of football the public interest seemed to wane, and enthusiasm was not kept up to the finish.
The building up of an A team will now be undertaken by the Aberdeen directors. They were all present at the junior final on Monday.
In this final there were several lads worthy of placing as reserves in the A team.
Who will be selected or who will go remains to be seen, but the following can hardly be overlooked:- Norrie, Beattie, Mar¬tin, Hay, and Shand.
We understand that J. J. Simpson has applied for re-instatement as an amateur, and will play in that role for. Aberdeen A next season.
On the conclusion of the junior final on Monday, Pittodrie Park will undergo its usual upheaval with a view to renewing the turf for next season.
The Cleansing Department Sports are fixed for the last Satur¬day in June, and the Police come on with their gathering on 8th August.
Harry Rennie, Scotland's international goalkeeper, has left the Hibs at last, and will guard the uprights at Ibrox Park next season.
Rumour has mislead a lot of people with regard to Bennet of the Celtic. It was said that he was going over to the Rangers also.
The latest about this clever player is that he may be seen with Aston, Villa next season.
The abolition of the limit wage and transfer fee in England is causing a deal of stir amongst the clubs.
Will it come into force? - that is the question. It will require careful handling to be made law.
Gordon and Anderson, of the St. Mirren, have both bidden the Paisley club good-bye, and have crossed the Border for new clubs.
Henry Low is home from Sunderland and looking fit and well. He has enjoyed his season's work in England, and has re-engaged.
Another old player is back again in Gault, who went to West Ham. He looks none the worse of his work in the Southern League.

Source: Bon-Accord, 7th May 1908