Aberdeen 3 - 1 Raith Rovers

Played at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen, before a good attendance. The home side went off at a great pace at the start, and Mackie scored rather softly inside five minutes. Later, Stewart put the ball past Don in attempting to clear, and McNicol scored shortly before half-time. The Rovers, having had slightly the worst of the first half, adopted the wide passing game in the second period, and completely spoiled Aberdeen's combination. The Rovers pressed at the start, and had hard luck before they got the ball past MacFarlane. This proved their only goal, though they had as much of the play as their opponents. An interesting game ended:- Aberdeen, three goals; Raith Rovers, one.

Source: The Scotsman, 24-10-1904

There was a considerable difference of opinion as to Aberdeen's team being able to beat Raith Rovers. Somehow I had little doubt myself, but in tramping out King Street I overheard several who contended that the Rovers were the smartest team in the Second Division. Then at half-time one of the visiting officials was overheard to remark that Aberdeen was the poorest team they had met yet. Rather poor consolation, don't you think, but I put it down as a case of "sour grapes." It could hardly be said that a team with a 3-0 lead at half-time could be described as poor, more especially as they had to act very much on the defensive. Aberdeen started briskly, being down on Don in a twinkling. From the goal kick there was again a rush for goal. "Fairmer" managed to get his toe on at the right time and Aberdeen were one up inside four minutes of play. The goal looked a soft one in its finishing flight, but the work prior to that was good, and well deserved the point. Stewart, the left back was lucky in getting clear of the referee's vision when he deliberately fisted within the penalty area. This was a slice of luck, as the referee gave a free kick on the wrong side of the line. Aberdeen got the next bit of luck going. Stewart, on attempting to clear, headed the ball through his own goal, but the pressure was severe at the time, the player having to do something, though it was somewhat unfortunate to score against his own side. McNicol was the next scorer before half-time, and so far the Rovers had not done anything out of the common. There was a marked difference in the play of both teams in the second period. The Rovers changed their tactics, swinging the ball right across from side to side. Aberdeen's defence got flurried, a bad mistake by Duncan McNicol allowing Wallace to score. For about ten minutes Macfarlane & Co. were as busy as they could be, till the forwards again got under way. Aberdeen were either taking them too cheap, or the Rovers had got a new lease of life, for the latter were full of running, and were sharper in their movements when they got the ball. Henry Low began to play a semi back game, and this had the effect of spoiling the Rovers' marksmen, who could not get anything to count. Nor was Willie McAulay without having one or two tries, but there was no further scoring, Aberdeen winning the points by 3 goals to 1.

Source: Bon-Accord, October 27, 1904

Under the auspices of the Second Division of the Scottish League, Aberdeen and Raith Rovers met at Pittodrie in ideal weather. Over 4000 spectators were present. Mr. D.S. Walker, Falkirk, had charge of the game. The Aberdeen forward line again showed rearrangement, Mackie being entrusted with the position of pivot, While Johnston displaced Shiach at outside left. The teams were:- Aberdeen: Macfarlane; Murray, McNicol; Halkett, Strang, Low; Robertson, G. McNicol, Mackie, McAulay, Johnston. Raith Rovers: Don; Inglis, Stewart; Nelson, Mercer, Grierson; McDonald, Moodie, Wallace, Gray, Bell.

Aberdeen kicked off against the sun, and in the first minute the visitors made tracks for Macfarlane, but had to make a strategic retreat, and as the outcome of some masterly footwork by McAulay, Aberdeen got close in and scored after 5 minutes' play. Ably supported by the half-backs, the home forwards kept up a heavy pressure, but had no difficulty in wearing down the opposing defence, which was not particularly strong. Through a mistake by Inglis, the Aberdeen centre had an easy opportunity of increasing his team's score and this he did. This seemed to have no deterrent effect on the Rovers, and for the first time they made a real attempt to penetrate the home defence. Splendid play, however, by the home halves and backs thwarted their efforts. A succession of foul kicks fell to the strangers, and on one occasion Macfarlane was hard pressed, and saved at the expense of a corner. Resuming the aggressive, the Aberdonians swept down en masse, and Johnston swung across a beauty, which Stewart essayed to head out, but instead he headed into his own goal. The locals were playing a splendid game, and G. McNicol added a third goal, from a cross by Johnston. The outside left almost had a goal of his own, the ball just spinning on the line. The players infused much vim into their play, and fouls were rather frequent. The Stripes' defence was now subjected to a hot attack, in which Murray distinguished himself, his colleague being not altogether reliable. On play of the men from the "Lang Toun" merited a goal, but their shooting was faulty. Towards the close of the first half Johnston distinguished himself by a brilliant shot from the touch line, which scraped the crossbar, and his club mate on the opposite wing had a shot scarcely one whit behind in the matter of accuracy.

History repeats itself, and the second period had only been three minutes begun when Wallace for the Rovers repeated Aberdeen's performance of the first, Macfarlane being deceived by McDonald. Encouraged by their success the "Blues" resumed the struggle with unshaken determination and energy, and for some time they penned Aberdeen in the upper half of the field. Ultimately the attack was repulsed, and McAulay made some commendable attempts to score. The halves wrought like Trojans, and besides playing a grand checking and feeding game, directed some praiseworthy shots at goal, but the range was too long to be effective. Aberdeen had hard lines, and the same may also be said of the Rovers, who shortly after recrossed the line, and the home defence was sorely beset. Some ascerbity of temper was being exhibited, and the game became exceedingly fast. Play waged from goal to goal, and Aberdeen had if anything the less share of the play. Splendid work was done by Low, Halkett, and Murray in defence, and one of the finest pieces of goalkeeping seen at Pittodrie in many a day was performed by Macfarlane who saved in miraculous fashion with three forwards on top of him. He managed to throw the ball to the wing, and the opposing forwards made an unsuccessful appeal for a goal. The crack custodian received a great ovation for his save. Fast play was witnessed until the close of the game, and both goals were visited alternately, but there was no further scoring.

The drawings at the gate and stands totalled £110.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 24th October 1904