Aberdeen 3 - 4 Montrose

Aberdeen paid the penalty for playing a weak "A" team against Montrose in an Eastern League game at Pittodrie last night, when by 4 goals to 3 the Scottish Qualifying Cup-holders gained their first victory over a home team at Pittodrie since the days of the old Northern League.
If the margin was narrow, Montrose thoroughly merited their victory. They kept swinging the ball from the wings to the centre, and vice versa, and nippier and moving much better than their opponents often nonplussed the homo defence. Considering that Montrose failed to count from a penalty kick, the visitors were unfortunate not to finish with a more substantial lead. Robertson scored early for Aberdeen, but Jackson soon equalised with a ball that was helped through by Wilson, the home left back after a weak attempt kick clear by Lawrie. Granted a penalty kick, Montrose failed to improve upon it, W. Hogg sending the ball against the upright, off which it glanced behind. Jackson soon made amends off an accurate cross by J. Hogg, and it was a well-deserved lead of 2-1 that Montrose held at the interval.

Grant secured the equalising goal shortly after resuming, Sutherland stopping the ball, but not before it had crossed the line. After that, the Montrose wingers were lively, and Ritchie scored from close range, for Jackson later to dispossess Bruce, and secure his hat trick. Both goals afterwards were in danger, and just on time, following clever play by Grant. Moir counted for Aberdeen.
The visitors proved the better balanced side, the disjointed play of the losers comparing unfavourably with the more team-like efforts of the winners.
Montrose were splendidly served in defence. Anderson, Adams, Wright, and McGovern being always prominent, and in the attack the Brothers Hogg on the extreme wings were shining lights.
The home team did not play well together. Lawrie, in goal, was too apt to use his feet, and the backs as a pair were only moderate. Dunbar, the Parkvale centre-half gave a most promising display at centre-half, but the others were weak, and forward Grant, at outside left, was the only player to show anything like good form. An opportunity was given at outside right to H. Smith, a brother of the Glasgow Rangers centre-forward, but he did not impress. There were nearly 2000 spectators.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 7th September 1922