Aberdeen 3 - 0 East Stirlingshire

Aberdeen met East Stirlingshire are on Pittodrie on Saturday afternoon before a large crowd of spectators. Teams:-
Aberdeen: Barrett; Murray, D. McNicol; Halkett, Strang, Low; Robertson, Edgar, Ruddiman, McAulay, Ritchie.
East Stirlingshire: Paton; Hotchkiss, Harris; Reid, Stirling, Prentice; W. McCulloch, White, Ivory, Murray, T. McCulloch.
Referee - Mr. J. Martin, Camelon

East Stirlingshire kicked off, but were immediately drawn up, and amidst an ovation the black and yellow brigade worked east to find their progress barred by higher resolute defence. Splendidly fed, the Aberdeen left wing was early prominent, Ritchie being cheered for a try a which, however, lacked sting. Ruddiman was distributing played to perfection, and two judicious passes were caught by Ritchie, who, carefully measured by the stripes' right back, did not place Paton's charge in any real danger. The Aberdonians displayed the most vigour, and Hotchkiss and Morris were tested severely, but they stood up sturdily, Morris being in splendid form. Offside tactics nullified the efforts of the home team that vary greatly, but several of the referee's decisions were questionable. Robertson, who picked up a rear pass from Ritchie, was the victim of a wrong decision in this respect. The Falkirk men subsequently buckled to and the pace and was hard. When near the goal, the visitors were very dangerous, and once our goal seemed likely to fall in their way, but the home defence rallied, and McCullough's attack ended in smoke. Hard knocks were the order, and Hotchkiss, who himself was not given to playing the parlour game, was laid low, and for a time was off the field. Your goal the Aberdeen forwards were not in good form, many openings going abegging. "Paddy" Murray high and Ivory were the liveliest payer in the strangers' attack, but Murray and McNicol were generally too good for them. Half time arrived with the Aberdeen pressing hard, no scoring having taken place.

Aberdeen reopened strongly, Rodham and leading a vigorous attack and their fashion. Many fine encounters were witnessed between the home pivot and Morris, the latter defending in great style. Aberdeen were doing all the pressing, and shots were coming from all parts of the corpus two wards Paton, who dealt with them in masterly fashion. Rodham and at last defeated custodian and his success was loudly cheered. He scored from a beautiful centre by Ritchie, whose splendid tone of speed was the undoing of the visitors' backs. The 'Shire were now are seen on the top of form but their attempts at goal were spasmodic in the extreme. White was the only accurate "shootist" on his side, but Barrett was always ready when he was within shooting distance. A sensational run by the 'Shire quintette was spoiled by Barrett being charged illegitimately, and a transference of play found Ruddiman on the ball. The centre worked round hutch kiss and put his team two up by a shot which Paton could not have saved. Subsequent plate was of the fastest nature, the 'Shire showing up well. Their attack, however, as compared with that of the homesters was unbalanced, and Barrett was never tested severely. Ruddiman, who seem to have had on his shooting boots experienced a little luck in front of Hotchkiss and Morris, and from a difficult to angle he scored again, his efforts being cheered loudly. Latterly, the 'Shire forwards were full of running, but the game was lost and won, and despite the efforts they could not pierce the home defence. A well contested game ended - Aberdeen 3, East Stirlingshire 0. The gate amounted to £60.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 2nd January 1905