Aberdeen 3 - 2 Partick Thistle

Partick Thistle were the visitors to Pittodrie on Saturday afternoon, when they met Aberdeen in a First Division match of the Scottish League. There were two changes in Aberdeen's team which defeated Falkirk on the previous Saturday, Wilson taking Davidson's place at right half, and Macfarlane, one of the reserves, occupying the left back position in place of Hume, who was injured at Falkirk. The weather conditions were favorable and there would have been between 5000 and 6000 spectators present when the teams lined up as follows:-

Aberdeen: Mutch; Colman, Macfarlane; Wilson, McIntosh, Low; Blackburn, Muir, Mcnair, O'Hagan, Lennie.
Partick Thistle: Massie; McKenzie, Gray; Gibson, Lyle, Low; Ballantyne, Callender, McGregor, F. Robertson, T. Robertson.
Referee - Mr. GH Hamilton, Motherwell.

Aberdeen lost the toss, and kicked off against a stiff breeze and bright sunshine. Thistle made progress on the right. The attack was repelled by Colman, and Aberdeen left wing sped towards Massie, Low eventually sending past. Quiet play followed, the visitors having equally as much of the game as the locals. A foul against McIntosh for bringing down McGregor looked none too bright for Aberdeen. The attack on the home quarters did not last long, and O'Hagan and Lennie, ably supported by Low, treated the spectators to an excellent piece of play. The outside man finished a dazzling run by shooting high over the bar. Back came Aberdeen, and Wilson gave Blackburn an opportunity, but the outside right hesitated too long, and the ball was sent well ahead. Wilson was in great form, and the way he held T. Robertson was a treat. A breakaway by Partick resulted in F. Robertson scoring. Robertson sent the ball towards Mutch from about 15 yards out. The ball struck the goalkeeper's chest and rebounded into play, going but to Robertson, who made no mistake with his second shot. Mutch was clearly to blame for his side being one down. He made an effort to catch the sphere, but failed. The visitors played more spiritedly after this success, and a minute later Mutch saved a difficult shot from the right. The local halves now's seemed to have found their bearings and for a time they kept the visiting forwards well in hand. Partick were granted several free kicks, but they proved fruitless. After Massie had saved a stiff shot from Lennie the two Robertsons had a run towards Mutch, and after some exciting play in front of goal, McGregor was given off sides. A clever piece of play by O'Hagan and Lennie resulted in Muir securing the equaliser. Lennie crossed right in front of goal, and Muir, lying handy, scored with his head from close range. It was a pretty goal, and fully deserved the great cheer it received. Play was evenly contested for a time, but Aberdeen gradually took the upper hand. The local forwards were ably supported by the halves, whose placing was very accurate. The most outstanding half was Wilson, he kept his wing well supplied with the ball. The visitors forced three corners in succession, but the local defence was sound. Partick were soon busily defending, and Lennie had hard lines in not scoring from a terrific drive. The ball missed the post by a few inches. The best piece of play so far was a fine combined run by the visitors. The whole of the front rank participated in it, but Mutch brought off an excellent save from T. Robertson. Aberdeen brought all pressure to bear on the visiting defence. It held out for a time, but Lennie eventually found the net. McNair, seizing up a pass from Wilson, made off towards Massie. The centre forward was about to be tackled by two opponents when he judiciously passed to Lennie, who, from the position he was in, had no difficulty in beating of Massie. There was no holding in Aberdeen now, and a capital shot by Muir several minutes later deserved a better fate and going past the upright. Macfarlane was somewhat "rocky." He played well at times, but on other occasions he seemed at a loss to know what to do, and Colman had occasionally to go over and gave him assistance. Aberdeen held the upper hand until the close of the period. Partick played desperately to keep them out, and the defence repeatedly played the local forwards offside. The football in the first half could not be said to have been of a high order, although the game was interesting enough at times. Partick were lucky in being only one goal down.

Partick immediately attacked on resuming. Although they were now playing against the wind, the visiting forwards displayed excellent footwork. It was only when Mutch saved from McGregor that Aberdeen had a look in. Stiff pressure was brought to bear on the visitors, but their defence would not give anything away. The Partick backs were excellent in recovery. Aberdeen hammered away, but the visitors packed their goal, and numerous well-directed shots were turned aside by a head or a foot accidentally coming in the way. The siege was raised by O'Hagan being pulled up for offside. After dull play in midfield Aberdeen again attacked, but the defence was unbeatable, and numerous good shots were saved by Massie. Aberdeen would undoubtedly have again scored had it not been for a certain slackness amongst the forwards, who seemed to be indifferent whether they scored or not. An excellent cross by Lennie resulted in Muir sending behind. The free kick resulted in the visitors having a look in, and a promising run by McGregor was promptly stopped by Colman. Macfarlane gave away a corner, but the local defence had no difficulty in clearing. The best goal of the match was scored by Blackburn. The outside right run down half of the field through the defence, and landed the ball in the net. It was a splendid individual effort, the best that has been seen at Pittodrie for some time. Lennie and O'Hagan put in some splendid work, notwithstanding that they were being closely watched. Partick were now kept purely on the defensive, but they defended gamely, and were always eager to get away. Play was very uninteresting now, and it was only the hardest of hard luck that kept the Aberdeen from again scoring. They were far and away superior team. Partick managed to break away occasionally. Their forwards were always keen and eager, and the local defence had to be very watchful, although they had never any difficulty in repelling the attacks. Aberdeen fell away in the last 20 minutes of the game. Lennie scored, but the referee did not allow point on account of the left winger being offside. End-to-end play was the order of the last 20 minutes and in the last minute of the game Partick snatched a goal. Their forwards were game to the last, and just on the call of time T. Robertson scored with a soft shot. Mutch ought to have saved, but he and Macfarlane muddled things between them.

To the sum drawn at the gate was £124, and at the stands £18 - a total of £142. By their win on Saturday, Aberdeen, for the first time in the history of the club, occupying the premiere position on the league table.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 12th October 1908