Aberdeen 1 - 3 Forfar Athletic

The Northern League fixture was played at Pittodrie on Saturday. Aberdeen played strongly in the first half, but fell away in the second period. The game had to be stopped eight minutes from time owing to darkness. Result:- Forfar Athletic, three goals, Aberdeen, one goal. Gate £50.

Source: The Scotsman, 30th October 1905

These teams met at Pittodrie, Aberdeen, in a Northern League fixture. The weather was fine, and there was a fair attendance when the teams lined up as follows:-
Aberdeen A: Herd; Thompson, Brebner; Davidson, Low, Robertson; Harvey, Ward, Hall, Henderson, Smith.
Forfar: Rodger; Shand, Macfarlane; Melvin, Murray, A Fairweather; Blyth, Langlands, W. Fairweather, Preston, Ritchie.
Referee - Mister J. Nisbet, Edinburgh.

Aberdeen won the toss, and the visitors kicked off towards the sea. The game began in a very exciting fashion, both defences being severely taxed for a short time. The locals were not long in making themselves felt, and severe pressure was brought to bear on the visitors' defence from the right wing, Harvey and Ward testing Rodger with good shots. The A's still kept at it, and a grand shot from Davidson struck the cross-bar, and rebounded into play. The home halves made rings round their opponents, Robertson especially being prominent for very tricky work. Shand, who was hard put to it by Hall, was forced to give away a corner. The resulting kick was nicely placed by Smith, and Ward headed it past Rodger, securing the first goal of the match after 15 minutes' play. A hard struggle took place in front of Rodger, who cleared his lines beautifully. A fine piece of play by Smith resulted in the ball being sent right in front of goal, and it was only with great difficulty that the goalkeeper got it as the local forwards were swarming around him. The A's still kept at it, and nearly secured another goal. The homesters were practically having all the play, Robertson and Smith showing up grandly. Thomson handled within the dreaded area, and as a result Blythe equalised. A very smart bit of play by the visitors' right wing transferred the ball to Aberdeen's end. He centred beautifully, and Ritchie, getting the ball, sent in a hard shot. Herd, however, was in his place, and had no difficulty in getting the leather away. Shortly before half-time Forfar had a splendid opportunity of getting the lead, but, like their opponents, they could not score.

Aberdeen resumed with a rearranged team, W. Low appearing at right back, and Thomson at centre half. Shortly after the restart the game underwent a remarkable change, Forfar having all the play, and keeping their opponents confined to their own territory. Ward broke through, but he shot rather hard, and Rodger just managed to secure the leather a second before Ward was upon him. The ball was got away, and Forfar again held the upper hand. Ritchie sent in a nice centre, and W. Fairweather, in a scrimmage in front of Herd, put his team on the lead. Aberdeen, after this reverse, worked hard, but their efforts were of no avail, for the visitors were continually on the run, and the defence refused to be beaten. Ritchie, for Forfar, was playing a very neat and effective game, and on one occasion went through all opposition, and finished with a capital shot, which Herd held. The visitors were great shootists, for every ball that they sent in went straight for the mark, and it was only Herd's fine saving that kept the score down. Preston, accepting a fine pass from Ritchie, scored another goal for Forfar. It was with great difficulty after this that the spectators could follow the game owing to darkness, and the referee blew his whistle to stop 7 minutes from time, the score being - Forfar Athletic 3, Aberdeen A 1.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 30th October 1905