Aberdeen 1 - 3 St. Mirren

At Aberdeen, on Saturday before 4000 spectators. Each side scored a goal in the first half, which was full of interesting points, the home side standing up well. In the second period, St Mirren proved the better lot, a surprise goal taking all the heart out of the Aberdeen team. Result:- St Mirren, three goals; Aberdeen, one.

Source: The Scotsman, 16th September 1907

Aberdeen engage Saint Mirren and at Pittodrie on Saturday in a Scottish League match, and as the weather conditions were ideal from a spectator's point of view, there was a large attendance round the ropes. Mister A. Edwards, Glasgow, had charge of the game, and the teams were:-
Aberdeen: Macfarlane; McIntosh, Hume; Davidson, Drain, Halkett; Simpson, Muir, Wilson, Murray, Lennie.
St Mirren: Grant; Jackson, Gordon; Key, Robertson, McAvoy; Clements, Cunningham, Paton, Milne, Anderson.

The spin of the calling favored Aberdeen, and the saints had to start the game facing a very strong sun. The strangers made the first attack, but the Aberdeen left wing carried the ball well into the Saints' domain, where an opportune cross at close range was snapped up by Simpson, who placed neatly passed Grant, the first goal coming to Aberdeen about 2 minutes from the start. The "all whites" were anxious to nullify this sudden disaster, and a strong combined effort was made by the front line. Some miskicking by the local halves made the situation dangerous for Aberdeen, but Hume stepped in, and once more the fight veered round to the Saints' end. The visiting defence was kept busy, and McIntosh and Lennie a big handful, but the little winger made a bad mess of a good opportunity after working hard for the opening. Following a spasmodic effort by the visitors, Simpson and Muir started a fine run up the wing, which was terminated by Gordon fouling. The free kick almost proved lucrative for Aberdeen, Muir forcing grant to give away a corner, which produced considerable excitement. The rain made a good attempt to heading, one and, once more Grant had to place behind. A relief was effected however, and then there was a spell of excitement at the other end. There was little combination about the Saints' play so far, but their rushing tactics almost brought the much sought for goal. The front line bunched up in front of Macfarlane, and a hard drive from Milne rebounded off the Aberdeen custodian's body. Later on Hume made a desperate effort to clear his lines, and succeeded in doing so, and the expense of a heavy fall and double somersault, after which he was seen to limp painfully. The local right wing got little to do, but showed good form when the chance came their way, while Murray, on the left, was brilliant, his passes to Lenny doing much to open up the game. Considering the wind and sun that had to be contended with, the Saints worked well, and seemed to get over the tendency to kick and rush, which characterized their movements at the opening of the match. The strangers' right wing were occasionally dangerous, but Paton, as pivot was the principle source of trouble to the defence. At last the equaliser came, and Paton was the medium. He picked up a cross from the left and literally worked his way through the defence, who made a futile attempt to sandwiched him, and, once clear of the backs, it was an easy matter to beat Macfarlane. From this point onwards in the first half, the Saints seem to find their feet, and sorely did they pester the local defence. Paton came away at once, and again made a fine attempt, when his kick went off the mark this time. With a great improvement in the Saints' play, the Aberdeen men's game deteriorated, and for a spell there was a continuous display of miskicking. Clements, on the strangers left wing, sent in a hot shot almost from the corner flag, which doubled Macfarlane up. The next minute Macfarlane almost gave the Saints a free gift of our goal, making no effort to interfere with a slanting shot which came from Milne and rolled slowly past the post. A brief attack was made by Aberdeen, but Paton came rushing down the field, and finished a good effort with the clever try for goal.

If there was a sensation at the opening of the first half, was equaled on the resumption, and this time in favour of the strangers', for within a minute of the start Aberdeen were one down. The right wing got off, and Clements tried a long shot from the margin. Paton tipped the ball midway, slightly diverting its course, with the result that it swerved in, struck Macfarlane on the arm, and bounded into the net. Aberdeen lost no time in forcing their way up to Grant's end and Murray sent in a terrific drive to the Saints' custodian, which the latter knocked down and effected a smart clearance. There was some strong work in front of Macfarlane, but Lennie turned the tide when he raced with Jackson for the ball and sped down the line with the back pounding close behind. The winger crossed to his partner of the latter shot over, while Simpson followed suit a minute later with an equally good chance. McIntosh corps the shortstop rich by falling on his shoulder, but he was able to resume without leaving the field. The saints appeared to be well content with their goal lead, and the local halves feeding their frontline nicely, there was a constant pressure in front of Grant. Excitement run high up on the spectators, as chance after chance was missed by the narrowest margin, but at no time during the game was a keener that when Grant left his charge to fist out a pretty cross from Lennie. The ball was returned and Murray and Wilson had an open goal before them. Every instant it was expected that the ball go through, but the players seemed to get excited and soon the goal was crowded with players on both sides, with the ball bobbing in front in the most tantalising fashion. Jackson cleared, but he was seen to handle the sphere before doing so, and a shout of "penalty" arose, but was unheeded by the referee, who apparently had not notice to the incident. A surprise rush by the visitors resulted in another goal, Cunningham forcing his way through a crowd of the Aberdeen men, and shooting into the corner. Grant was playing a great game in goal, and returned many shots that were worthy of better reward. The remainder of the game was uniformly slow, with the Aberdeen playing without hart and the Saints taking matters easy. In the closing minutes, however, Lennie caused a slight flutter, with a great shot from the margin which all but beat Grant, while Simpson also had a try, which landed the sphere in the side net.

The gate amounted to £135, and stands £15.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 16th September 1907

A Change without, Effect.

We foreshadowed last week that several changes were to be tried in the Aberdeen team against St. Mirren. The non-responsible critics got their way, but the desired result was not attained after all. What is to be done next? Saturday's opponents were determined to win the points at any cost, for they came north on Friday, rested during the day, and stepped on the field as fit as fiddles for the points.
First impressions, they say, are unreliable, for Aberdeen put in a nice bit of play which ended in Bobby Simpson scoring ere a minute had elapsed from the start. Murray missed an open goal shortly after by sending over, while Muir lost control of the ball when he ought to have banged it home. These mistakes meant a great deal to the Saints, for once they got into their stride, they made the home defence sit up. The goal was bound to come, for Macintosh was flukey in his kicking, while Drain lost his pace. Paton, just getting on the ball at the right time, equalised. Aberdeen made a rush or two, but the halves were wanting in following up, and the first half ended honours even. The Saints swooped down, on the re-start, like one man, and fairly took our breath away when they scored, Macfarlane making a feeble attempt to save. After being pinned to their own end for a spell, the homesters made a great attempt to square the game, but their ineffectiveness at goal-mouth was appalling. Every one of them had a chance at one time or another, but nary a foot could get on the leather till it was sent away by a Saints' defender. Down went their hearts, and Aberdeen had to act the part of defenders till the finish, Rab being defeated by a fast, straight shot which we expected to see cleared. It was all over now but the shouting, the Saints taking full points from Pittodrie for the first time in the League by 3-5.

>b>Plain Talking.

On Saturday's play we should say that Macfarlane had an off day. Hume was the better of the two backs, but lacks polish and does not take the fancy of the crowd by wild rushes: he gets there, all the same, every time. Macintosh was dis¬appointing, and he was responsible for two out of the three goals by missing his man. Drain is in want of training, and only lasts about twenty minutes at top speed, and then goes to pieces. Davidson and Halket were good, but neither has touched last season's form. The forwards were good in the open, their failure being at close quarters, where Simpson seemed the only one able to shoot straight and often. Lennie is falling away, and Murray does not prove a success at inside-left. Wilson was severely left alone, and hardly got a decent cross to materialise. Muir was better at outside-right than in any position we have seen him in yet. The Saints are a fine balanced team for height and weight. Their defence was strong and sound, while their halves, if not polished, were effective. The forwards are a fine go-ahead lot, converging towards goal every time, while every one can shoot on the run. On the whole, the Saints deserved their victory, but we cannot congratulate the referee on his handling of the game, which was too slack at times when the excitement ran so high.

Chatty Bits.

St. Mirren-went away happy on Saturday as it was the first time they have taken full points away from Pittodrie.
They were exceedingly anxious to do so, and that was their reason for coming through on Friday afternoon.
The Pittodrie version of the Gordon affair is, that he signed for St. Mirren before they had an opportunity of seeing him. It was not a question of terms at all.
There is a pretty strong feeling that Aberdeen had the worst of the refereeing on Saturday, not that we usually favour this idea, but he gave some funny decisions.
When Murray was brought down inside the line, he claimed a penalty for two reasons, as he was badly kicked on the ankle.
There was a want of understanding amongst the forwards, and there was a little too much of the ball going to the left.
Wilson never got a decent chance the whole time, while the right wing were starved.
W. Low's suspension ended on Saturday, and he is glad that he will get into the thick of it again.
We should fancy he will like to open against Dundee, for he has played some fine games at Dens Park.
It seems that Henry was not the means of getting Stewart put off the field on Saturday, but Hooley, the inside left.
Sunderland seem to be making Henry the handy-man of the team, for he has appeared in the front line and scored, while he was in the middle line against Manchester City.
Gault made his debut for West Ham on Saturday, but gave away a penalty. Otherwise he played a great game.
Hannah, of the Reserves, is making rapid progress as a sound back. Once he gets a bit faster he will have to be reckoned. with.
Aberdeen A will have another stiff hurdle at Lochgelly on Saturday.
The Harp are quite proud at getting the use of Pittodrie, because they will have no opposition in town.
They were after Central Park, but the terms asked were a bit thick. The public should turn out to see this fixture, as Elgin City have some good youngsters.

Source: Bon-Accord, 19th September 1907