Aberdeen 2 - 1 Montrose

Aberdeen's second eleven engaged Montrose in a Northern League match at Pittodrie. The weather was fine, with only a slight western breeze, and there was a good attendance when the teams lined up as follows:-

Aberdeen A: King; Beattie, Hay; Davidson, JJ Simpson, Morgan; Toman, R. Simpson, McKinley, Ritchie, Lawrie.
Montrose: Paterson; Paterson (Shamrock), Kirkland; Boyd, T. Fenton, J. Fenton, Matthew, Burns, Lilburn, Black, Murray.
Mr. H. Urquhart, Dundee, was referee.

Aberdeen kicked off, and McKinley immediately made a beeline for Paterson. He carried the ball well up to the goalmouth, and was steadying himself to shoot, when he was grassed by Kirkland. From the resultant free kick, Lawrie sent behind. Aberdeen were soon back, however, and R. Simpson had a lovely shot from the penalty line, grazing the crossbar. From the goal kick, Paterson let Murray away on the right. The outside right easily out-manoeuvred Hay, and a goal for Montrose seemed likely, but the forward was badly tripped up. Kirkland placed the ball well into the goalmouth, and King had to concede a corner. Another followed, but, like speed assessor, it was unproductive. The home backs were showing up none too well, Beattie, especially, being weak both in tackling and in his returns. Stewart Davidson, however, was generally ready to cover up his colleague's mistakes, and though in constant jeopardy, the goal was kept intact. Lawrie's spoiled a fine opening with only the goalkeeper to beat, and immediately after R. Simpson struck the corner of the right and post with a hard drive. The ball rebounded into play, but came to the foot of Mckinley. The centre missed the ball altogether, but Ritchie, rushing across, shorted into the far corner of the net, beyond Paterson's reach. The ball was no sooner centred and Aberdeen were down on Paterson again. Toman dodged past "Curly" Paterson, and passing judiciously to his partner, Simpson gave his team their second goal with an unsuitable shot. The same player should have scored again a minute later, but, believing himself off-side, he hesitated, and Kirkland sent the ball up the field. Montrose next had an incursion into Aberdeen's territory, and Boyd had a likely try, but Davidson caught the ball on his stomach and sent it westwards. The whistle sounded shortly after and the halftime score stood - Aberdeen A, 2; Montrose, 0.

On resuming, Aberdeen pressed, and from a pass by Mckinley, Ritchie shot into Paterson's hands. Montrose were now showing improved form, their forwards combining better, and they were frequently dangerous. A scramble to place in front of King, and Boyd, getting the ball within 2 yards of the uprights, reduced Aberdeen's lead by a goal. The weakness of Aberdeen's backs was more prominent than ever. Several times Hay missed his kick altogether, and Beattie was little better in this respect. King had to be in a constant state of watchfulness, and he disposed of a number of likely shots very smartly. During a raid by Aberdeen, one of the Montrose players was hurt, and had to leave the field, but he soon returned. Montrose were having quite as much of the game as their opponents, and on play did not deserve to be a goal down. Simpson and Toman had a fine run up the field, and the inside right, passing the ball to McKinley, gave the centre an opening which he took advantage of by placing the ball midway between the corner flag and the goal post. Montrose retaliated, and Matthew, from a pass by Lilburn, scored, but he was off-side, and the point was disallowed. Murray was getting the better of Hay every time, and on one occasion, when the Montrose winger had every appearance of scoring, Hay had to resort to shady tactics to prevent him. Beattie, too, was getting flustered with being continually defending, and once very nearly cut through his own goal, the ball going inches passed watt, from an Aberdeen point of view, was the right side of the post. Burns had a good shot from far out, but King was on the alert, and saved. Immediately after, securing the ball from a free kick, Lilburn drove strongly, and King again saved finely, fisting the ball from almost under the bar. Lawrie, on the Aberdeen left, had plenty opportunities, but in his eagerness he frequently overran the ball, and the cheering of the spectators did not serve to make him any better. There was no further scoring, and a somewhat scrappy game ended - Aberdeen A, 2; Montrose, 1.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 26th August 1907