Aberdeen 6 - 2 Northern Lg Selected

It was a pity for the friends of the Northern League that the weather proved so unpropitious for spectators as it did last Saturday. Selecting a strong and representative team, the committee were sure of victory, more especially as one of them remarked that Aberdeen was under strength. This was said before the match began, and the first moiety of play fully warranted the remark. Gray was the only real absentee who had forewarned the selecters, but Pitblado failed to put in an appearance at Pittodrie, and Jim Mackie, of the Aberdeen, took the latter's place. When Mr. McArthur got the teams together there was a feeling that the Select were the finer built set of players, carrying plenty of weight, if they had science to back it up. There was a lot of nice passing to begin with, the ball being made to go from end to end with rapidity and graceful movement. Little Simpson opened the score sheet with as nice an effort as I have seen on Pittodrie for a long time. The little bit of play that brought the equaliser was worthy of Proctor's initiative, being capped by Crockat on the left.

One side was as good as the other, Aberdeen having the wind behind them, carried play more frequently towards Rodger. Henry Low got through with a solo on his own, brushing aside all impediments and giving Rodgers no earthly chance of clearing, though the Forfarian made a fine effort to get it away. Devine bad the honour of making the parting, effort for the equaliser again, so closely was the game being contested. Just before crossing Edgar got the leading goal for Aberdeen. Everything that the select team did in the first half was good, and they were expected to do better in the second period with the wind behind them. It turned out the reverse.

Feeling they had not the lead required to win Aberdeen simply made rings around their opponents, Low scoring first, and Ward three before the whistle blew. How many shots Rodgers saved could best be told by himself, but though he let six goals go past he played a grand game. By 6 goals to 2 Aberdeen finished top side in every department, without a passenger in the eleven. The visiting halves were weak, being a long way behind the home trio. The forwards on both sides were good, Crockat and Proctor shone more particularly for the select, but it would be unfair to make selections on the home side as they all did remarkably well. Mr. McArthur gave every satisfaction as a referee.

Chatty Bits.

The Northern League funds will not he very much enriched over Saturday's match.
For this the weather was greatly to blame, but it was really astonishing to see so many present on such a day.
The gate and stands, all in, amounted to over £52.
By the time the League pays the players' travelling expenses, there will be very little over.
The game was worth going to see all the same, a fine afternoon's football being provided.
Owing to Pitblado's non-appearance, the committee were left in a dilemma, and their thanks are due to "Fairmer" Mackie for stepping into the breach.
Mackie played a good game when the fact is taken into account that he has not kicked a ball this season.
Though hardly tested so much as the directors would have liked, Mutch, the Inverurie lad who kept goal for Aberdeen, gave every indication of being a class custodian.
Another "find" is J. J. Simpson, who played centre-half. He has all the qualifications for being a great player.
"Wee" Simpson is a nipper at goal mouth. He knows when to get there.
Crockat and Devine were, to my thinking, the outstanding players on the League side. Proctor has a good conception of centre-forward play, but lacked vim behind his shots.
For outfield dribbling and parting to his wings, nothing was finer than Henry Low's play on Saturday.
Aberdeen need not go far to find their "missing link" now. Let us hope they will keep him next season.
Gault played the poorest game I have seen him do this season.
Aberdeen have met the Hearts three times this season, winning twice and drawing the first game at Tynecastle.
There were four of the A team at Edinburgh on Saturday, and every one of them played a fine game.
In fact there was not a weak spot in the team, and on their day's play they could easily represent the first eleven.
The Aberdeen players are to be "At Home" in the Bon-Accord Hotel on Tuesday evening.
Dundee have to be faced in an East of Scotland League game on the Saturday after this "hop." It should put the players in fine fettle for the game.
This week interest will be centered in the semi-finals for the Scottish Cup.
Third Lanark have to meet St. Mirren at Paisley, and the Hearts cross over to Port-Glasgow, to play on Clune Park.
To run Dunblane to a goal in the Dewar Shield competition is a feat Peterhead ought to feel proud of.
With a little steadiness at goal-mouth, the Aberdeenshire-cup-holders might have entered the final.
This is the first time Peterhead have played south of Aberdeen, and they will have now got over the natural feeling of trepidation at having to tackle southern clubs.
There is a proposal to change the character of the Charily Shield Competition.
How this will work out remains to be seen.
The proposal, I understand, is to have one big game between Aberdeenshire and say Inverness-shire.
This may be good enough for the Charity Committee, but the clubs in the Association may have an objection to it.
For instance, why should the cupholders be left out in the cold? They should be allowed a say in the matter.
The two Aberdeen teams, with the 'Varsity and Peterhead, should make a good competition.
Preparations are being made by the Juniors for their Benefit Match at Pittodrie. It is expected the local teams will put forth a strong eleven to meet the Pittodrie XI.
The Scottish selectors are not to put their team in print till Monday, when they will have visited the English and Scottish semi-finals.

Source: Bon-Accord, 29th March 1906