Aberdeen and Dundee met at Dens Park, Dundee, on Saturday in the first of their home-and-home league fixtures. Dundee made no changes in the team from the previous week. Aberdeen introduced Colman (Motherwell) at right back, while W. Low turned out for the first time this season. About 8000 spectators witnessed the game. Teams:-
Aberdeen: Macfarlane; Colman, Hume; Davidson, Halkett, W. Low; Muir, Murray, Wilson, O'Hagan, Lennie.
Dundee: Crumley; McKenzie, Chaplin; Lee, Murray, Dainty, Jeffrey; Dean, Hunter, Webb, Macfarlane, Fraser.
Referee - Mr. J. B. Stark, Airdrie.
In the first half Aberdeen played with a slight breeze in their favour. Right from the kick-off the game assumed an interesting aspect. Lennie was prominent on the left wing, and Aberdeen were the first to threaten danger. A quick return by McKenzie was caught up by Fraser, who was soon in the vicinity of the Aberdeen goal. Near the corner flag, however, the ball was sent behind. Play did not remain long at one end of the field, for Lennie rapidly made ground, traveling almost half the length of the field. He beat McKenzie and Dainty, following up with a beautiful cross to the centre, but Wilson headed past. Aberdeen kept Dundee strictly on the defensive, and a corner, finally placed by Lennie, was cleared with difficulty by Crumley. The game was fought out with great keenness, the ball traveling from end to end of the field with great rapidity, Aberdeen's display being a revelation to the Dundee crowd. Webb was very persistent in his attempts to break through in the centre, and twice Hume pulled up the speedy forward when on the point of shooting. Keen was rarely in evidence on the Dundee right wing, being repeatedly blocked by Low, who was one of the outstanding men on the Aberdeen side. Indeed, the Dundee outside right was only too glad to get rid of the ball when Low was nearby. The game continued on brisk lines, and although the quality of the play at times left something to be desired, still the players never slackened their efforts. Aberdeen were more than holding their own, the left wing being particularly aggressive. Lennie repeatedly beat Lee and McKenzie, and only the recovery work of Dainty and the strong kicking of Chaplin prevented the visitors from taking the lead. Dundee, however, managed to keep out the Aberdeen forwards, Crumley saving in quick succession from Murray, Muir, and Wilson. Dainty frequently came to the assistance of McKenzie, who could make nothing of the Aberdeen left wing, while Crumley was not a idle, although many of Lennie's crosses went a-begging. O'Hagan opened out the play, and gave his partner every opportunity to get off. Hume and Colman made up a strong back division for Aberdeen, with the result that Macfarlane was idle during the greater portion of the first half. Dundee could make little headway for a time, but ultimately Webb got away in the center. However, when he received a pass he was fully 3 yards off side. He was blocked by Hume, and Macfarlane up(inside left) got on the ball, but just previous to this bit of play one of the Dundee forwards fouled. However, the referee did not witness the incident, but, unfortunately for Aberdeen, Wilfred Low handled the ball in the penalty area. Dundee were awarded a free kick, and dean sent the ball flying past Macfarlane. This was distinctly hard work on Aberdeen, who up to this point had played the better football, and Low's of fence was a very mild one. A few minutes later Dainty banged the ball into the net, but the goal was disallowed owing to Webb being offside and spoiling the goalkeepers view. The game was stubbornly fought up to half time, with Aberdeen doing most of the pressing. O'Hagan and Lennie were very active, but the right wing did not respond to the many find cross is sent over by the inside left.
The second half opened with Dundee making tracks for the Aberdeen goal. Webb was pulled up for offside when he had a clear run-in on Macfarlane, while the next minute the Dundee centre was stopped just in time by Hume. Dundee were apparently anxious to increase their lead, but were met by a solid defence, Colman, in particular, doing good work. Lennie had a fine run, beating Lee and McKenzie, and finished up with a lovely centre, which was cleared by Dainty, while a minute later the left winger, in conjunction with O'Hagan, almost brought the downfall of the Dundee goal. Crumley fumbled the ball in clearing from O'Hagan, but Jeffrey stepped in and cleared - not a moment too soon. The game and veered round in Dundee's favour, Fraser footing in some work on the left wing. Several shots from the left winger were cleared by Macfarlane, Paul Hume was frequently hard pressed in stopping Webb's dashing runs down the centre. Halkett, however, rendered great assistance to the defence, and it required the utmost effort of the Aberdeen players to keep out the shots sent in by Fraser and Webb. Colman, however, was generally in the right place, and from under the bar the right back twice saved almost certain goals. Gradually Aberdeen shook off the Dundee forwards, and once more the visitors' left wing lead an attack on their opponents' goal. The ball was crossed to the right, where Muir picked up the pass, and centred right in front of Crumley. Dainty got the ball away, however, and soon Dundee were at the other end. Shots from Fraser and Hunter were cleared by Macfarlane, while Colman was cheered for his clever tackling. Chaplin, at back, was playing a great game for Dundee, his clean, accurate kicking being one of the features of the game. Near the close, Aberdeen played desperately for goal. Excitement reached a high pitch when Wilson raced past the Dundee backs, but was badly tripped by Jeffrey. A rush by Dundee was stopped by Hume, who returned well down the field. Wilson burst through again, but once more Jeffrey tripped him, and thus two capital chances were lost to Aberdeen. The closing stages, we're very exciting, both goalkeepers having dangerous shots to clear, but there was no further scoring, and the game ended - Dundee 1 goal, Aberdeen 0.
The game was a very fast one all through, and Dundee were lucky in winning. Aberdeen's latest additions to the team - Colman and Wilfred Low - were prominent for fine work, and their presence encouraged the other members of the side. Dundee were apparently surprised at the improvement in Aberdeen's play, which was much in advance of their previous week's exhibition against Saint Mirren. Gate, £187; stands, £30 dash total, £217.
Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 23rd September 1907