Aberdeen 2 - 2 Rangers

These teams met at Pittodrie Park on Saturday afternoon in ideal weather, before an attendance of 2500 spectators. Teams:-

Aberdeen A: King; Hannah, Forbes (East End); Davidson, J. J. Simpson, Macfarlane; Low (Dundee East Craigie), Towns, Dalgarno, Ritchie, Toman.
Rangers A: McArthur; Law, J. J. Dunlop; Houston, Taylor, J. R. Hamilton; Noble, Fraser, Alexander, McDonald, Jackson.
Referee - Mr. Arthur watt, Aberdeen.

Aberdeen kicked off against a strong easterly wind, and Dalgarno was prominent at the start. Macdonald initiated a fine movement on the visitors' left, and later McArthur was called upon to save a hot shot from Ritchie. The home left were getting a lot of work, and the way the out-manoeuvred Taylor and Huston was a treat to watch. Aberdeen's right wing was not showing too much advantage, the Dundee junior on trial making some palpable misses. Rangers had a spell of pressure at King's end, and for a time the keeper had to look wary. A fouled close in looked bad for the homesters, but Dunlop sent over. Some pretty passing was witnessed in the outfield, the visitors excelling in this direction, but their finishing was weak. Jackson, the visitors' left winger was particularly smart, and his runs were the feature of the game. Forbes, the local junior back on trial, was playing a great game, and his sure tackling and clean kicking earned for him the plaudits of the crowd. Rangers were having the best of matters, and Forbes gave away an unnecessary corner, from which nothing came. Just on half-time Towns gave McArthur a hot shot, which he fell in saving, and Rangers' goal had a narrow escape.

On resuming, Ritchie went outside left for the homesters, and the change was immediately effective. Ritchie had a spanking run, and passed back to Toman, who, although hampered by two opponents, shot a grand goal. Aberdeen thus encouraged now played in confident fashion, and shortly afterwards, accepting a low pass from the right, Toman neatly tipped a second goal through for his side. Rangers were now confined to their own territory, and McArthur was called upon to save all kinds of shots. Rangers rallied, however, and noble getting possession in midfield, after a brilliant run, scored a good goal for Rangers. After this reverse, the locals hummed around McArthur, who, with Law and Dunlop, had a warm time of it. Houston was playing in great form for the visitors, and a pass from him but Jackson off on the left, the final effort - a long high shot - completely deceiving King. The game was afterwards stubbornly contested, but no further scoring took place.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 21st September 1908

A Fast Game.

The venture of bringing the Rangers A to Pittodrie on Saturday proved a success. Play was undoubtedly better than that usually associated with Northern League games, and was fought with keenness to the finish. The sun has been absent from these parts for some days, but he came out stronger than the players desired on Saturday, and made them feel a little uncomfortable under his broiling rays. The Rangers faced his majesty. and being a bit faster than the home side, bore down on King. Forbes, the new back, was early seen to advantage by some clever punting, while his tackling of a fast right wing was a bit above the average. Aberdeen's left wing got most of the ball, but they failed to make good use of it, and what little of it went to the right was wasted by bad play. Rangers did not over-exert themselves, evidently preferring to wear the side down in the second half. When it came the scoring sheet was blank, but the re-start was sensational. Ritchie and Toman changed places, and a Lennie-O'Hagan run down ended in Toman scoring a beauty of a goal. Soon after Toman scored another from a pass by Lowe, and things looked keen for the home side. King was blinded in vision when he allowed McDonald to score the first goal, but he should not have allowed the equaliser, which appeared a very soft one. Both sides strove hard for the lead, but the whistle sounded with the score 2 goals each.
On the home side King was not seen at his best in the second half, though he kept out several splendid shots at the opening. Hannah and Forbes were brilliant, and the pick of the halves were Simpson and Macfarlane. Lowe was an utter failure, and Towns and Dalgarno were not so good as we have seen them. Toman and Ritchie, when they changed places, were the best on the field. At goal and left back the Rangers had decidedly the pull, and at half Houston was very prominent. The wing men were best in the forward line, McDonald and Noble being in a class by themselves. The inside men were good average players and nothing more.

Chatty Bits

Aberdeen A seemed troubled with stage fright for a bit on Saturday, and were slow in finding their proper bearings.
Till they got their footing they were afraid to go near the burly Dunlop, but once they got there, the big back had a lot of work to do.
Lowe, who was tried at outside right, will not pass muster, and did not come up to the reputation which preceded him.
For steady play Macfarlane and J. J. Simpson set a fine example to their companions on Saturday.

Source: Bon-Accord, 24th September 1908