Aberdeen 2 - 0 Ayr United

In very rough weather this League game was played at Pittodrie, Aberdeen. Aberdeen scored in each half by Edgar and Harvey, and won by two goals to nothing.

Source: The Scotsman, 1905-03-27

Aberdeen added a much-needed brace of points at the expense of a Ayr at Pittodrie. When the same teams met at Ayr the result was a draw - 3-3. The weather on Saturday was not propitious, a stiff, piercingly cold south-easterly wind and occasional showers of rain undoubtedly having the effect of listening the crowd of spectators, which numbered between 3004 thousand. Owing to the recent wet weather the ground was softer and heavy, and was expected that this would be an advantage to the Ayr players, who are more accustomed than the Aberdeen men to play under such conditions. The Aberdeen team was not at full strength, Ruddiman, the centre-forward, being unable to turn out, not having recovered from the injury sustained at Leith; while Halkett, who was on well, was represented by Wilfred Low. Robertson was tried in the centre-forward position.<.br> The teams were:-
Aberdeen: Macfarlane; Murray, D. McNicol; W. Low, Strang, H. Low; Harvey, G. McNicol, Robertson, McAulay, Edgar.
Ayr: Mackie; Moffat, Weir; Watson, Innes, Fairley; Kerr, Richmond, Brown, Young, Lawson.
Referee - Mr. Philip, Glasgow.

Aberdeen won the toss, and played with the wind. The game was very rugged in the opening stages, miskicking and misfielding being frequent. Aberdeen tie to settle down to their usual game, but the wind and the strong, hustling tactics of their opponents prevented them. Aberdeen were not long, however, in opening the scoring. In a scrimmage in front of Mackie, several of the Pittodrie sharpshooters had pot-shots at goal, but the Ayr lads, bunched together, blocked the goal. Ultimately the ball went out to Henry Low, and he judiciously passing it to Edgar, who had an opening, the outside left, without hesitation, dashed in and shot the ball into the net, completely beating Mackie. The play that followed was tantalizing to the Aberdeen supporters. Aided by the wind and by clever footwork in the open, the Pittodrie forwards were kept in close attendants on the Ayr goal, but score they could not. The visitors played up pluckily, forcing game against the wind, and, due to the weakness of Wilfred Low, their left wingers were frequently dangerous. The younger Low was weak in tackling, and in placing he is certainly not a Halkett. McAulay was the greatest source of disappointment to the crowd, for seldom has a given such a poor display at Pittodrie. For dashing, clever play Henry Low attracted most attention in the first half, and had McAulay and Edgar made the most of the chances the left half placed in their way Aberdeen would have led by a comfortable margin at half-time. McAulay's shooting was dead off. McNicol, who played vigorously and Tripoli, was deservedly cheered for a magnificent screw shot which she took from far out with his back to the Ayer goal, Mackie just clearing with an effort. McAulay and Edgar were frequently prominent for tricky wing work, but they made nothing of it. Harvey was not a success in the first half. Edgar, McAulay, and Robertson all had shots at goal, but they were all off the mark, and McNicol, who was an excellent form, after carrying the ball half the length of the field, finished weakly. Against the wind Ayr had a fair say in the game, and but for the sound defensive Murray and McNicol they might have scored. Aberdeen gave a poor display, the crossing over with a one goal lead to face a stiff breeze, there were many who predicted a defeat for the Qualifying cup holders.

A remarkable change came over the game in the second half. The wind can actually fell, but even against the breeze the Aberdeen team played with a dash, precision, and cleverness that made the play of the Ayr men look amateurish in comparison. There was still the same weakness, however, in the Aberdeen forwards' shooting, although McAulay and Low both had tries which were only inches off the mark. Harvey covered himself with Glory in the second half, is speedy dash is down the field, is fearless charging of the big backs oppose to him, and his dangerous cross is making ample amends for his display in the first half. One of his shots made Mackie's fingers tingle. Macfarlane got about as little to do in the second half as he did in the first, and what little saving he had to do did not give him much trouble. Moffat and Weir, the Ayr backs, played a steady, robust game all through, and the tackling and kicking being quite equal to that of Murray and McNicol. Macfarlane brought off a clever save on the post. Aberdeen's second goal was well deserved on play. Edgar brought down the ball, but Harvey scored the goal. It was well taken, Harvey driving the ball into the net while on the run. Macfarlane saved twice in succession. In the last 5 minutes Aberdeen pressed in determined fashion, two rating shots from Henry Low's foot almost finding the net. Mackie played well in the near goal. Wilfred Low improved greatly in the second half. There was no more scoring, and Aberdeen, much the better team of the two won by 2 goals to 0. The gate amounted to £60.

Source: Aberdeen Journal, 27th March 1905