Stewart Davidson, the popular Pittodrie half-back, took his benefit yesterday, when Dunfermline Athletic opposed Aberdeen on his behalf. The conditions for the match were none too favourable, but there were about 2000 present at the start. Davidson has been seven years with the Pittodrie Club, and has given the Aberdeen Club good service. Aberdeen took advantage of the occasion to experiment. Hannah played at centre half, Brown, the Reserves' goalscorer, went centre-forward, and Scorgie, Parkvale's flying outside left, appeared as partner to Wood.
Aberdeen were the more aggressive side at the start, but the visitors when they broke away played good football. First Drummond and then Hemphill had good runs, but Aberdeen's defence easily met the calls made upon them. Once Colman nearly put through his own goal as the result of a misunderstanding with King. On another occasion a faulty clearance by King of a ball from the right nearly let Whitelaw score, but he erred in direction. Except for a clever run by Scorgie, Aberdeen did but little attacking work. The Athletic, on the other hand, were fast on the ball, and often threatened, Hemphill and Hall being specially prominent in some dangerous raids on the Aberdeen goal. Aberdeen did not seek to force the pace to any great extent, and although Soye and Scorgie led up well at times, the bulk of the aggressive football came from the Second Leaguers, who obtained three fruitless corners in quick succession. When Hannah shoots the ball, there is usually some pith behind it. He put in the best try of the game so far, and Slavin had to give away a corner in saving. If Dunfermline had the larger share of play, Aberdeen always had their measure. In due course the Athletic's enthusiasm was worn down, and Aberdeen gave an exhibition of individual tactics. Dunfermline were full of running, and as the interval approached they cut out the work for the Aberdeen defence. They missed several likely chances, but the most glaring of all was when Hemphill and Hall missed an open goal and Drummond drove wildly to the corner flag. After this escape Aberdeen played up stronger, but could not score, although Wood nearly got through from Soye's cross.
The Athletic started off strongly, and after some desultory play King saved well on all fours from Kelly and Hall, while Whitelaw had a shot which hit the crossbar, and then Hall shot again for King to save brilliantly. Dunfermline continued to infuse a large amount of vigour into their play, and Kelly had another try, which went wide. Aberdeen were without Davidson for a time, Walker going in half-back until he returned. The visitors continued to force the pace, and Hall had another good try, which King saved. At the other end Slavin saved well from Wood, and Walker, from long range, let go a hard shot, which Slavin glanced behind for a corner. Aberdeen played up harder after this, appearing to take the game more seriously. Hanna shot wide, and then Walker had another good try, which Slavin tipped over the bar, and then Brown shot badly after he had helped past the backs.
Aberdeen opened their score in peculiar fashion. McConnell shot, and Slavin left his goal to clear. Walker dispossessed him, and Soye centred below the bar, the ball sailing into the net before Slavin could get back. It was a somewhat lucky goal, as the wind did much to help the ball into the net.
Dunfermline were plucky, and after good work by Kelly equalised. Aberdeen should have been on the lead, as Brown sent the ball over the bar with an open goal in front of him. Slavin and Scorgie got injured in collision, but both recovered. Play after this was keen, both goals being visited.
Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 3rd January 1913