East Stirlingshire 1 - 4 Aberdeen

Yes the Aberdeen F. C. is mounting up in the League Table and that, too, despite the outcry, a little over a month ago, that the team was no good. They had a difficult task set them on Saturday in travelling to Falkirk to meet East Stirlingshire. It is not every team that can beat the 'Shire on their own pitch, so that Aberdeen's victory carries with it a little more than an ordinary win would do at home. Against sun and wind in the first half Aberdeen had to set the sphere in motion, and these elements not only puzzled but hampered the forwards in their movements. Early, an opening was made by the left wing, who had worked the ball down, Lowe pounced on the cross, and shot with unerring accuracy. A surprise opening, but it had a very wholesome effect on the game. Though the 'Shire tried hard to equalise, Aberdeen's defence held them at every turn. Lowe again distinguished himself by his readiness to accept passes which the backs failed to reach, and he had his side three up before the 'Shire got in a goal. When the home side did score, Aberdeen raced off with the ball, and never allowed an opponent to touch it till the goalkeeper was reached and he had to concede a corner. Ritchie piloted the ball so nicely that it curled in off the goalkeeper's hands. Aberdeen could do anything during this period, and nothing wrong. The tension was not so great as in the Qualifying tie, and with such a lead Aberdeen did not exert themselves to the full stretch. They now stand relatively on the table in as good a position as any other club.

Source: Bon-Accord, November 10, 1904

This Second League game took place at Falkirk in presence of nearly 2000 spectators. The home team were weakly represented; while Aberdeen tried Lowe, and amateur from Blackburn, at centre forward. Five minutes after the start Lowe scored for Aberdeen. Thereafter East Stirlingshire attacked vigorously, and but for the grand goalkeeping of Macfarlane they would not have been a goal behind at the interval. Within a minute after resuming Lowe accepted a pass from Ritchie, and scored a second goal for Aberdeen. Later the same player added a third goal. Near the finish Reid scored for East Stirlingshire, while Adam, the home custodian, from a corner kick, played the ball into his own goal.

Source: The Scotsman, 7th November 1904

These teams met at Falkirk in the second division of the Scottish League. Teams:- Aberdeen: Macfarlane; Murray, McNicol; Halkett, Strang, Low; Robertson, McNicol, Lowe, McAulay, Ritchie. East Stirlingshire:- Adam; Smith, Thomas McCulloch; Reid, Morris, Prentice; McCulloch, Ivory, Hotchkiss, White, Tennant. Referee, Mr. McLeod, Dumbarton.

Aberdeen kicked off against the wind. A breakaway by Stirlingshire was stopped by Murray and McNicol, and McAulay and Ritchie took up the running. Soon after Lowe opened the scoring for Aberdeen. The 'Shire then invaded, but Macfarlane smartly saved several well-directed shots. For a time the 'Shire had the best of the game, but they failed to find an opening. Aberdeen now had a spell of pressing, but play was soon confined to the other end, and Macfarlane distinguished himself by his smart fisting powers. At half time Aberdeen led by one goal to nil.

Play in the second half was for a time very even, both teams having a spell of pressing. Lowe scored twice, and a third goal was added before the finish; while Reid opened the scoring for Stirlingshire.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 7th November 1904