Dundee 3 - 2 Aberdeen

How eagerly the football public in the north-east is anxious to renew its acquaintance with First League games was manifested at Dens Park, Dundee, on Saturday, when despite bitterly cold weather, a crowd of about 8000 turned out to see Aberdeen meet Dundee. The northern men, although they lost, put up a good fight. With the wind behind them they scored twice before the homesters counted. The Dundee goalkeeper misjudged the first goal - a corner kick beautifully placed by Robertson. The left winger had a hand in the second, sending over a lovely centre which led to a scrimmage between Joe Walker and two Dundee defenders, and ended in the ball being netted. Barclay, Aberdeen's custodian, was in great form, but he was thrice beaten before the interval, Paterson opening and Bradley twice capping tricky runs by Troup. The second half was well contested, but there was no more scoring. Paterson, Bradley, Herron, McDonald and Stuart were prominent for Dundee, and Barclay, Hannah, Wright, Walker, and Robertson were about Aberdeen's best.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 31st March 1919

Dundee's match with Aberdeen at Dens Park served as a fine tuning-up process prior to the former entering upon their programme with Scottish League teams. The northern team was supposed to be "no great shakes," but they certainly gave the Dundee lot a testing time, and the Dens Park players have every reason to be proud of their victory. Operating with a stiffish breeze, Jack Wyllie and his men showed the Dark Blues that pretty football was not, after all, of much account unless it was accompanied by goals. The play of the home forwards was most attractive and effective, up to a certain point - that of scoring. Aberdeen's two goals, secured in the first 20 minutes, were by no means spectacular, though they demonstrated that the Dundee defence is not just so sound as it might be. Dundee, on the other hand, got their three goals from hard drives, which always prove more attractive to football enthusiasts. The first period was a ding-dong struggle, but the second half was a dreich affair.

Dundee on the whole were better balanced than their opponents. Aberdeen were too individualistic, and it was perhaps only in goal at the northern team showed any superiority, for Barclay did some clever and daring work. Bower was not so much in the picture, and the two goals registered against him were of the soft order. Thomson, who was suffering from seasickness took some little time to settle down, while Bisset did not altogether impress. The halves and forwards worked well together, and one would like to see a little more of Fleming before passing any opinion. He came from the Sterling District with high recommendations, but he showed a lack of training. Aberdeen's attack and supports did not hit it off so well as their opponents, but they will undoubtedly improve as they get to know one another's play better. Hannah found the clever Troup a big handful, and had a gruelling afternoon. Barclay is a good goalkeeper.

Source: Dundee Courier, 31st March 1919