Aberdeen 2 - 3 Heart of Midlothian

Ideal weather, a great throng, and bright expectations of a rousing game of the conditions that prevailed at Pittodrie on Saturday, and, with the hearts in opposition to Aberdeen, there was good reason for the laughter. Both teams were well represented, turning out, under the supervision of Mr. John Martin, Camelon, as follows:-

Aberdeen: Macfarlane; Boyle, Gault; Halkett, Strang, W. Low; McDonald, Edgar, McKinley, H. Low, Lennie.
Hearts:Allan; Reid, Collins; R. Thomson, C. Thomson, Dickson; Pearson, Walker, Couper, Williamson, Bauchop.

Promptly at the hour the Hearts were on the field, and Aberdeen following almost immediately, up until start was made, Aberdeen starting operations against a stiff south-easterly breeze. After a game attempt on Aberdeen's left, the Maroons' van now invaded the local defence, and a centre from Walker was banged by Gault hard against Coupar, and rebounded into Macfarlane's hands. Lennie, after his illness, was early conspicuous with tricky work, but the home defenders were kept busy in the early stages of the game, the Hearts' attacking line exhibiting find combination. Lennie and Henry Low lead the way to Allan's end, and the extreme winger sent a nice cross over to McDonald, who forced a corner. The advantage was fruitless, however, and Bauchop once more turned the venue to Aberdeen Territory, where the operations of the wing were broken by Boyle. After some scrimmaging in midfield, Wilf Low let his brother off, and a pass from him to Lennie was banged two wards Allan, and just missed the off post. The next which came from Aberdeen's right almost immediately was even more dangerous, and accurate pass from McDonald being Breasted into Allan's hands by the home pivot. The Hearts' were nonplussed by the and clever feeding of the Aberdeen backs and half line, and any excitement that prevailed was in Allan's vicinity. Following upon a raid by Aberdeen's left wing, Couper, ever on the lookout for a chance, snapped the ball, and bursting through got across to Bauchop, who in turn carried well up, with Boyle pounding across the field to intercept him. The winger sent the leather with the side of his foot across to goal front, just out of Macfarlane's reach, and the sphere rolled into the far corner of the net. It was a smart bit of work, though there was an element of luck in it, but it was a lesson to Aberdeen. Coupar was a keen blade, and it was not long before he was once more breaking through, his effort, this time, however, being lost by Pearson, who slipped. Rab and to face up to a breezer from R. Thompson, but the next minute Allan had to hold a hot shot from McKinley. McDonald fully justified his inclusion in the team, and are more than one occasion he got the better of Dixon. Twice in succession Lennie sent over deadly cross is, which only required backing up to culminate in goals, but the first was nipped by a maroon defender, and Edgar disposed of the second chance - a clear goal- by shooting high. A number of futile attempts were made by the Aberdeen front line to get at Allan, and it was from the breaking up of one of these invasions that the Hearts got their second point. It was in reality due to good work by Charlie Thompson, but Coupar had a big share of the credit. If anyone was to blame on the Aberdeen side, it was Boyle. The Hearts' pivot past well in front, and the home back stepped in front to block the centre's passage. He reckoned without his host, however, for Coupar nipped round, and getting to the leather first, by and straight past Macfarlane. It was pretty much a drawn game, but the strangers showed more keenness in following up an opening, with the result that the home custodian had twice to handle. Allan which left no time for rumination, but he held up his end well. Bauchop made a desperate attempt to secure a point for himself. He flew down the wing, leaving Gault standing still, as it were, but after driving into Macfarlane's hands, the winger finished by driving into the side of the net.

Aberdeen started with a general drive to wards Allan, but it only lead to an exchange of end-to-end runs without anything of note resulting. Aberdeen's invasions were constant and promising enough, but slow work spoiled the chances, when hasty shooting was not responsible, although McKinley followed up a weak attempt by Edgar with a hot drive, which Allan just succeeded in intercepting on the goal-line. Reid and Collins was strong and smart, and they had for a spell to exercise both these qualities to the utmost against the homesters' pressure. There was no lack of excitement certainly, and it was confined entirely to Allan's quarters, but, as before, the locals' deplorable up lack of judgment at the critical moment nullified all the previous work. The pressure was bound to bear fruit, and at last it came through McKinley. Boyle punted hard to the front, and the pivot shot from 20 yards, completely beating Allan. This event had a rousing effect on the crowd, which soon communicated itself to the players, and brought out a nice combined run by the Wasps' front line. The period was crammed full of spirit, and twice Allan had to do a bit of smart dodging with the ball in his embrace and a couple of black and gold men in close attention. In the same way as before, Hearts increase their lead with a surprise run. They held the local citadel in siege for a brief spell, and a cross from Bauchop was driven home from long range by Charlie Thomson. This in addition to the leeway brought Aberdeen down in force upon the Hearts' defence, but, harmed though the attackers strived, they could not surmount the final obstacle. A few minutes from time Aberdeen got their second point under rather fortunate circumstances. McKinley with the ball was well in, and Allan missed his chance to return, with the result that after a slight scrimmage the home centre managed to draw the ball over the line with his foot. The scene that followed was seldom been witnessed on a football field. The players struggled fiercely in front of Allan, and it seemed that the ball must go through. The crowd roared, and excitement was at fever heat, as again and again the ball was driven in, and again and again returned by the merest fluke. Hard at it, the Aberdeen forwards and half-line kept till within a minute of time, and a huge punt saved the situation, the whistle sounding as the locals were preparing for a final attack.

The drawings amounted to £170.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 5th November 1906