St. Bernards 0 - 3 Aberdeen

Played on Saturday, Royal Gymnasium Grounds, Edinburgh. The game was fast in the first half, but notwithstanding the stiff tussle there was no scoring till nearly half-time, when Ruddiman beat Davy from a pass by McAulay. The score at the interval was:- Aberdeen, one goal; St Bernards, nothing.
In the second half the weight of the Aberdeen team told very much against the Saints, who were during the latter part of the game very much outplayed. A few chances, of which more might have been made, fell the way of the home eleven, but poor combination and the misjudgement went against their chances of winning. Aberdeen added two more goals, the scorers being McAulay and Ruddiman. Result:- Aberdeen, three goals; St Bernards, nothing.

Source: The Scotsman, 1904-12-26

The Qualifying Cup holders visited Edinburgh on Saturday. The meeting was something of an attraction for the Edinburgh footballer and the much gathered additional interest from the fact that the Saints did very well against the team in the Aberdeen on the occasion of their last meeting, the scores standing even when the game was prematurely stopped. Although the afternoon was a "football" one from the point if you off weather, the fixture only drew a small attendants. The Saints played as advertised, Davy, there and you goalkeeper, coming out, but the names dropped from the ranks of the Aberdeen team were G. McNicol, Lowe, and Halkett, and these gaps were filled by W. Low going right half, Edgar taking the inside right position, and freedom and going centre.

The teams were:- St Bernards: Davy; Buchanan, McNeill; Greig, Smith, McCracken; Wemyss, McGettigan, Hunter, Devlin, Conner. Aberdeen: Macfarlane; Murray, D. McNicol; W. Low, Strang, H. Low; Robertson, Edgar, Ruddiman, McAulay, G. Ritchie. Referee - Mr. Hamilton, Govan.

The initial touch was given by Ruddiman, and a brief spell of pressing on the part of the homesters was the first feature of note. Some lively work on the left let Conner away, and centering, the outsider gave to hunter, who shot, but Murray blocked. Edgar and Ruddiman were a busy pair for the visitors, and after an opening on the right Edgar sent in a strong shot, which found the outside of the net. The Aberdeen men were having a little more say in the aggressive work, and twice DV saved smartly from G. Ritchie. Between Devlin and Hunter the ball was rushed to wards Macfarlane, but a corner was the only result of their efforts. So far the game was of the fast order, with not a great deal to choose between the teams, though if anything the better placing was done by the visitors. A tricky shot by Wemyss took Macfarlane by surprise, but he clung to the ball nevertheless until hunter gave him another little surprise by upsetting his equilibrium with the ball in his arms. Murray, however, came to the rescue again, and one of the best chances so far had slipped away without tangible result. Combining nicely in front, the Aberdeen men moved smoothly, and getting his toe on the ball, McAulay drove across, where Ruddiman, knitting it up at the post, beat Davy. Away with the shout went the saints, and in a few seconds they were swarming around Macfarlane; but try as they might, and many of them did, the could not Pierce the defence of the Aberdeen men. Smith might have used a little more judgement with a try he had, the ball sailing high over the bar. Up to the half-time call the home Lott did not manage to score, and the interval found the teams standing - Aberdeen, 1; St Bernards,0.

Shortly after resuming, the Aberdeen men took up the running again, and manoeuvring their way up the right, Robertson parted to McAulay, the BankBoston Davy, after the goalkeeper had blocked a first attempt. After fifteen minutes ago on of the second half and the second goal had been picked up for the visitors, it seemed a "blue" lookout for the St Bernard's. Visiting forwards were going strongly, and the Saints had no control over them, to say the least of it. A likely burst on the right was spoiled by Edgar being fouled, and just following this the Saints had another golden chance, but look, in the shape of somebody's foot, robbed them of the goal they so nearly had. Greig kicked well down, and in a crowd the ground forwards closed round Macfarlane, who, in attempting to save from someone in the scramble was laid out. Just at the fatal moment when the ball was on the goal line, a foot was seen to give it the safety touch. The Saints were now are taking the advice of their almost hoarse supporters, and were"bucking up." Another of their bright efforts, of which there were not many, which splendidly saved by Macfarlane. McGettigan got from Hunter, and who shot looked as if it could hardly have been kept out. This piece of hard look was followed by something more bitter, for Ruddiman in a few moments had snatched a third goal for the visitors. The spectators had the idea that it was an offside goal, and the referee's finger pointing towards centre was the signal for a howl. The Saints strove hard to the finish in the nameless sort of way, getting away when they could, but they were practically after the hunt, for the fine work of the opposing forwards was playing deuce with them. Before the finish McAulay had a grand run, and parting to Ritchie, the latter shot in a beauty, making a call on Davy. The saints ever manage to score and the game ended:- Aberdeen, 3; St Bernards, 0

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 26th December 1904