St. Mirren 0 - 3 Aberdeen

At Paisley. Within the first two minutes Aberdeen were awarded a penalty through Lennie being brought down. McIntosh took the kick, and Grant saved. However, for the bext twenty minutes Aberdeen maintained an almost continuous attack, which culminated in Simpson scoring. That was the only goal in the first half. After crossing over, the visitors again became aggressive. Their half-backs, Lowe, Halkett and McIntosh, played a remarkably fine game, giving the forwards every chance of close work. Lennie and O'Hagan were conspicuous in the front rank. It was from one of Lennie's numerous passes that Murray got a second goal for Aberdeen, and the third goal was added by Lennie himself, his effort being one of the features of the game. Result:- Aberdeen, three goals; St Mirren, nothing.

Source: The Scotsman, 2nd December 1907

Aberdeen travelled to Paisley on Saturday, and met Saint Mirren and in their return league fixture. A thick fog prevailed, and the pitch was frost-bound. The unfavourable weather greatly affected the attendants, many doubtless being of opinion that the game had been abandoned. At 2:35 the teams lined up as follows:-

Aberdeen: Macfarlane; Colman, Hume; Halkett, McIntosh, Low; Macdonald, Simpson, Murray, O'Hagan, Lennie.
Saint Mirren: Grant; Jackson, Gordon; Crossan, Robertson, Key; Clements, Cunningham, Payton, Wilson, Anderson.
Referee - Mr. McGill, Thornliebank.

Aberdeen kicked off, and the game had been in progress for only 2 minutes when the visitors were awarded a penalty. Aberdeen got a free kick near midfield, and the ball was sent out to Macdonald on the right wing. Macdonald, in turn, crossed to Lennie, and when the outside-left had practically a clear course in front of goal and while inside the penalty area he was tripped by Crossan. McIntosh took the penalty kick, and, although the centre half put plenty of force behind his strive for goal, grant cleared grandly, but sent the ball only a few yards away. McIntosh caught the rebound, but his second attempt went high over the bar. Aberdeen kept the Saint Mirren and in their own half of the field for fully 10 minutes, and relief only came when a free kick was granted the home team. Colman returned with a huge punt, but Saint Mirren and got away on the right, Cunningham finishing with a stinging shot, which Macfarlane caught and cleared. The uncertain footing troubled the players for a time, the Saint Mirren and in particular being afraid to risk themselves. After a promising run by Cunningham, the Saint Mirren centre forward was left in possession near goal, and would probably have scored, but he manoeuvred for position, with the result that the Aberdeen backs got plenty of time to clear. Long kicking by the backs characterised the play for a time, although Aberdeen, if anything, were the better team, the right being prominent. Macdonald got round Gordon, but the latter recovered, giving away a corner. Murray burst through between the Saint Mirren backs, and shot weakly when he had only grant in front of him. Keeping up the pressure, Aberdeen outplayed their opponents at all points. Lennie sprinted along the left wing, and made a capital effort to score, his shot skimming the crossbar. After 20 minutes' play, however, the left winger crossed the ball beautifully in front of goal. Jackson and Robertson both failed to clear, and Simpson had a comparatively easy task in beating grant. Aberdeen's lead was fully deserved on play. Lennie once more lead an attack on the Saint Mirren goal, and, off one of his crosses, Macdonald almost scored a second goal, grant clearing with difficulty. O'Hagan was conspicuous in forcing the game, and a smart bit of play was witnessed when he eluded the backs, but his final shot glanced past the far post. The Saint Mirren and forwards could make no headway against the Aberdeen half backs - Halkett, McIntosh, and Low playing finely. The backs, two, were very safe, well Macfarlane was rarely called upon. Hume pulled up Cunningham within a couple of yards of goal, the ball rebounding off the left back in the direction of the Saint Mirren outside-left, who had are rare opening. However, he shot weekly behind, and thus lost an easy chance of equalising. Saint Mirren and lost another opportunity of equalising when Wilson was robbed of the ball by Macfarlane, who rushed out of his goal and cleared before the inside left got time to shoot.

Aberdeen had much to best of the game after the teams had crossed over. Right from the kick-off the Pittodrie forwards carried the play in the direction of the Saint Mirren goal. Lennie and O'Hagan were greatly in evidence, while Simpson was also conspicuous with many neat passes along the ground. Four minutes after the restart Aberdeen were two goals up. Lennie crossed beautifully from the left, and, while the Saint Mirren backs were in two minds as to whether they should clear their lines or leave the goalkeeper to deal with the cross from the left winger, Murray dashed in and scored an easy goal. This second reverse had a marked effect on the play of the Saint Mirren. They were rarely dangerous, and only the sterling defensive play of Gordon saved the team from a crushing defeat. Time after time the left back cleared in front of goal, his huge punts being one of the features of the game. Aberdeen improved as the game went on, their play being much in advance of their opponents. Lennie repeatedly ran right through the Saint Mirren defence, but many of his cross is we're lost by the poor finishing of the other forwards. Macfarlane made a fine save when he cleared a fast shot from Cunningham. The Aberdeen goalkeeper stopped the ball with his left hand, while at full stretch, his effort being one of the best bits of play witnessed during the game. A quarter of an hour from time Aberdeen secured a third goal through Lennie. The outside-left got a neat pass from O'Hagan, and from about a dozen yards out from goal Lennie drove the ball with tremendous force into the net. Aberdeen were now are masters of the situation and had all - or even a few - of the openings near goal been accepted, the Saint Mirren could scarcely have complained had they lost by at least half-a-dozen goals. The visitors played superb football right up to the close of the game, and were well-balanced team, the three half backs being specially good, and the same may be said of the left wing forwards.

The gate amounted to £64.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 2nd December 1907

The Triumph of the Season.

It was a cheerless day which met us on our arrival in the western metropolis on Saturday, after going through glorious sunshine en route. Through the forenoon rumours were current that all the grounds were frost-bound, and it was none reassuring when the journey to Paisley was resumed. On arrival there the fog was not quite so black, though the playing pitch was as hard as flint, and a fair sprinkling of sand had been put on the bare bits to prevent slipping as far as possible. Forethought is always to be commended, whether it materially assists in the winning of the game or not. Trainer Simpson went down early, and, viewing the situation, he had the players' boots all re-cobbled to suit the requirements of the ground, with the result that they held their feet better than the home side, and were ever so much surer in their shooting. There was a poor attendance when the teams took the field, with Mr. McGill, Thornliebank, in charge. The Saints looked like forcing matters, but the force was only momentary, and our hopes went up when Lennie beautifully tricked Crossan, and was sailing beautifully for goal, when he had the feet whipped from underneath him by the half, and the referee gave the full award. Macintosh was too fresh for the job, having hardly got up steam for the full force of a ninety-pounder which he usually puts in. Though he got a second chance, he lifted the ball too high over the bar, and the first bit of luck for Aberdeen was lost. Luck or no luck, Aberdeen were showing that they could win on play, for the Saints were finding it diffi¬cult to get much rope. The inside right had one good shot, which "Rab" put away in his best style. Barely twenty minutes had gone, Aberdeen having the best of it, when Lennie again was conspicuous with a great centre, which Simpson on the run guided into the net with terrific force. So on to the end of this period the Saints' defence got much more than they bargained for, and were often at sea. When, shortly after restarting the second half, we were treated to another delightful bit of combina¬tion by the Aberdeen we were satisfied that the points were going north. They put on all sail, and Murray very cleverly breasted another cross into the net. The right wing executed several smart moves, Simpson shooting fast and straight, but Grant got there always in time to prevent disaster. A short spell of pressure brought out the steadiness of the Aberdeen defence, Macfarlane once picking up the hall from the toe of a forward. Both backs were good, and as reliable as their opponents, while "Rab" was only once in real difficulties. With fifteen minutes to go, Aberdeen were not so sure of victory, and putting in a splendid spurt to make sure, Lennie made tracks for Grant, his parting effort being the best we have seen him deliver this season. Had they cared to, the "Wasps" might have made their score double, for the heart went clean out of the home side, who were none too glad when the whistle sounded with Aberdeen victors by three clear goals.

The Players.

Grant kept a splendid goal for St. Mirren, and there was a tremendous amount of work thrown on the backs, who did not strike one as having the best understanding between them. Jackson seems to have gone back a bit since his accident. The halves were hardworking, but very unscrupulous as to bringing up their opponents. The forwards are a fine healthy-looking set, with plenty of dash, but, on Saturday's play were deficient in goal-getting. There was not a weak man on the Aberdeen side. Of course, the left wing shone resplendent, but there was good work on the other side too, while the centre was in his element. The halves were grand, and the backs steady, "Rab" having mostly a spectator's job, though what he got to do was trying, and required his best skill to negotiate. As one of the St. Mirren officials remarked to us at the close "he had not seen better football at Love Street for many a day." The play was interesting to watch, in spite of the cold atmosphere and dull mist overhead.

Chatty Bits.

No more popular victory has reached Aberdeen than that which came from Paisley on Saturday.
A large crowd waited at Pittodrie, and went away delighted when the message came confirming the news which had been received by 'phone.
Trainer Simpson must get a little of the credit of this victory, for he was prepared for the ground being like, what they have hitherto experienced in the South - soft and heavy.
Noting the change; he at once got his players' boots into a Paisley shoemaker's, and put in order for the changed conditions.
The effect was apparent at once, for Aberdeen's movements were characterised by alertness and, solidity as far as font work was concerned.
At no time have we been so impressed with the forward work of the first team as we were on Saturday.
Each of, the halves had good men to hold, and the secret of their success was the firm understanding in the team, and covering each other up when occasion required.
If such methods are adopted this week Dundee's sharpshooters will have all the ingenuity taken out of them to score.
One thing the Aberdeen defence will have to note is that Dundee have always scored early. If they don't prevent that we have a feeling that the Taysiders will win.
The state of the pitch will have a great deal to do with the success of either team on Saturday.
If heavy the pitch will suit Dundee, but if hard and fast Aberdeen will make the visitors travel all the time.
The curious result of Saturday's game at Pittodrie will lead to a lot of head-shaking for some time.
How the forwards failed to improve on their chances is a mystery to most. Some of the older players assert that they pressed too much in the first half and ought to have opened out the play.
Well, play was open enough in the second period, but the shooting was off; in fact, one would have thought they were playing a losing game all through.
They will have to make a better appearance at Dens Park, or they will allow their chances to slip away.
In view of the wide-spread interest in the great match between Dundee and Aberdeen, footballers will welcome a souvenir. This they can have in the splendid portrait of the two teams, printed on fine art paper, which is given as a supplement with to-day's People's Journal for Aberdeen City.

Source: Bon-Accord, 5th December 1907