Port Glasgow 1 - 1 Aberdeen

At Port-Glasgow. So hard were the visitors pressed that their left half handled within the twelve yards line, and from the resulting penalty kick Jackson scored. Aberdeen were then more in evidence, but met a resolute defence, and crossed over a goal down. On resuming, the Port again were the better lot, but from a break-away on the visitors' right Blackburn scored a fine goal. Result :- One each.

Source: The Scotsman, 23rd November 1908

In miserable weather, and in presence of a small crowd of spectators, Aberdeen and Port-Glasgow athletic met for the first time this season in a league match at Clune Park, Port-Glasgow. Rain fell in torrents throughout the game, and long before the finish of the match the ground was in a deplorable condition. In spite of the adverse conditions, however, a capital encounter was witnessed, played being of a very fast order. The teams were:-

Aberdeen: Mutch; Colman, Hume; Halkett, Wilson, Low; Blackburn, Simpson, McNair, O'Hagan, Lennie.
Port-Glasgow: Thompson; Jackson, Ritchie; Colville, Munro, Lynch; Milligan, Hagan, Gourly, T. Findlay, R. Findlay.
Referee - Mr. Murray, Stenhousemuir.

Aberdeen kicked off, and right from the start the game was keenly contested. The heavy rainfall and greasy ball did not affect the play in the least, and it was indeed surprising that the players managed to get along as they did under conditions of the worst possible description. Port-Glasgow forced matters at the start, and in the first minute Colman had to check a dangerous run by R. Findlay. Play was of a particularly lively character, the specially on the Port-Glasgow left wing. Halkett and Colman, however, kept the brothers Findlay from becoming dangerous, although the outside left narrowly missed scoring with a surprise shot from near the touch line. The short-passing game was of little use on the heavy, muddy ground, and the Athletic players were quite alive to this fact, long passing from wing two wing being the order of the day in the front rank, while their half-backs invariably sent the ball well ahead every time. Still, there was netted in all their movements, and Aberdeen were fortunate in not being a goal down in the first few minutes. Wilson set up a capital defence for Aberdeen, and repeatedly checked the determined rushes of the Port-Glasgow forwards in a most praiseworthy fashion. A smart run by R. Findlay brought the athletic close to the Aberdeen goal. Findlay passed the ball across to Gourly in the centre, but the latter was pulled up for offside when in a capital position for scoring. Fast play followed, with the Athletic the better team, especially in the front rank. At last Aberdeen opened out the play, Lennie and O'Hagan sprinting away on the left wing. The ball was crossed to the right, where Blackburn make ground, and then re-crossed to the left. Lennie caught up the pass, but was ruled offside. Port-Glasgow came away on the left wing, Halkett cleverly checking R. Findlay and transferring play to the other end with along swinging pass to Blackburn. The latter made capital use of his opening, and centred right in front of goal. Jackson made a desperate effort to clear, but missed his kick. Lennie rushed in, and had are rare chance of scoring. The left winger, however, shot high over the bar instead of turning the ball gently round the corner of the post. Good work by Low was capped by Blackburn running straight ahead and centring almost from the touchline. Simpson received the ball quite close to the goal, but his shot went spinning over the bar. A good effort by Blackburn was cleared by the goalkeeper, and then followed some brilliant play by the Port-Glasgow front rank. Aberdeen had to act on the defensive for fully 20 minutes, and during that time Mutch alone saved his side by his remarkably good goalkeeping. Hagan, inside right, dodged round Low, beat Hume on the run, and finished with a terrific drive towards the corner of the net. Mutch sprang at the ball, and effected a splendid clearance. Next minute Milligan, outside right, tried to beat Mutch with a flying shot on the run, but the goalkeeper again cleared close to the upright. The pressure by the Athletic was of the most determined description. Colman blocked practically a certain goal, but next minute almost let his side down. Instead of clearing at once, he tried to dribble and T. Findlay. The latter robbed him of the ball and slipped it across to Hagan, who, within a couple of yards of goal, shot with great force. Again the goalkeeper got the ball away, only to be returned by Hagan. This time Hume headed away the shot, and still another effort by he can was somewhat luckily cleared by Hume, the ball striking the back and rebounding down the field. Aberdeen were completely out played at this stage, and the "Port" were distinctly unfortunate in not scoring. A fast grounder by Gourly was saved by Mutch, and after Colman, Hume, Wilson, and Low had checked a spirited onslaught by the athletic front rank, the ball came to Milligan, who struck the outside of the net with a fast shot close in. Port-Glasgow eventually got a goal, and deserved it on the play, but it was the outcome of a wrong decision on the part of the referee. The ball came spinning across from the left wing, and struck Hume on the stomach. The back tried to save himself with his hands, when the ball accidentally struck his arm. The referee did not observe the incident, and after allowing the game to go for a few minutes he consulted the Port-Glasgow linesman. The result of the conversation was a penalty kick to Port-Glasgow, from which Jackson scored. The Aberdeen players strongly protested, but the referee was firm. The game continued to be fought out in the vicinity of the Aberdeen goal. Mutch played a superb game, and it was entirely due to his work but Aberdeen were able to cross over only a goal down. He was kept busy with hands and feet. Twice he rushed out and kicked the ball clear when the Port were almost certain to score. Blackburn was prominent for Aberdeen, but the Athletic goalkeeper was really troubled.

Port-Glasgow undoubtedly held the upper hand during the first half, but Aberdeen were the better side after the interval. In the first minute, Simpson sent in a fast shot which was going straight for the corner of the net when the goalkeeper suddenly sprang across and cleared - a surprisingly good save considering the position of Thomson when Simpson delivered his shot. Mutch was called upon, but had little difficulty in clearing a long shot from the right wing, the ball being eventually sent down the field by Colman. First Lennie and end Blackburn were pulled up for offside near the goal, while Blackburn and Simpson were checked at close quarters by Ritchie. McNair made an effort to get through, but could make little headway on the muddy ground. A pitch was now in a terrible condition, while the players had by this time got thoroughly drenched. The rain showed no signs of abatement, but the game, nevertheless, was over fairly interesting nature. Only a goal separated the teams, and Aberdeen were lasting the pace, whereas the Port-Glasgow players were showing signs of fatigue. A capital run and centre by Blackburn almost brought a goal to Aberdeen. The right-winger's finishing touch sent the ball against the crossbar and the goalkeeper was well beaten, while a few minutes later Blackburn sent the ball across to the left wing. The goalkeeper missed the ball, which eventually went over Lennie's headed by a few inches, the left-winger thus losing an easy chance of scoring when the goalkeeper had left his charge. 20 minutes after the restart, Aberdeen equalised. Colman sent the ball well ahead to Lennie. The latter transferred to McNair, who in turn slipped the ball ahead to Blackburn. The outside right had to beat the goalkeeper in a sprint for the ball, and the Aberdeen forward won with practically nothing to spare. With no one in front of him, one armed did the right thing when he gently push the ball into the net, the goalkeeper being fully half a dozen yards away from his charge. The Athletic fell away after Aberdeen had equalised. Ritchie defended with rare skill, and his efforts were ably seconded by Jackson. Twice Aberdeen narrowly missed scoring, McNair and Simpson each having good tries. Blackburn, too, had a specially good shot, which the goalkeeper almost let slip, but managed to recover in time. The great rally by the Athletic was frustrated by Hume, who, however, got hurt in blocking a hard drive by Hagan. He quickly resumed, and for a few minutes the Aberdeen backs were severely pressed. Colman and Hume, however, made no mistakes. Mutch distinguished himself in the closing minutes with a couple of smart clearances. He got rid of a low shot from Hagan, while T. Findlay returned the ball, and it was only with difficulty but the goalkeeper saved at full stretch. The game was finished in semi-darkness, with the scores standing - Aberdeen 1, Port-Glasgow Athletic 1.

The gate amounted to £30 8s 9d.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 23rd November 1908

Not Bad.

To play football on level turf and on a field representing one newly ploughed are two different things altogether. Aberdeen were called on to play under the latter conditions at Clune Park on Saturday, when they laced Port-Glasgow in search of points.

The weather was the usual served out down the Port way, and was anything but agreeable for the 2000 spectators who were present. On such a day good football was not to be expected, and the players set about welting the ball for all they were worth, the adoption of scientific methods being discarded for the nonce. As far as shooting the ball ahead was concerned Aberdeen were never in it, their preliminary efforts being in the passing line, were easily check-mated. Then they began banging all round. From one of these do or die shots the ball hit someone on the arm or thereabouts, the referee not being exactly sure. This had been the only real exciting incident and when a penalty was given there were shouts of disapprobation as well as approval. Jackson, the Port's penalty scorer, just beat Mutch, who made a valiant attempt to save. Simpson almost equalised immediately after, his shot causing Thomson to guide the ball behind, while O'Hagan and Lennie closed the ball with "outers" as the marksmen say. From the manner in which Aberdeen set about their business in the second half, it was quite clear that they meant to have one point, if not two, from Clune Park with them. They had really their own eagerness to blame for the chances lost. it was a bit of good work by McNair and O'Hagan that gave Blackburn the opportunity which put the teams level. It was more luck than good management which saved the "Port" after this. Lying well back, they kept Aberdeen out, and for the second time in succession Aberdeen left Clune Park with a 1-1 result.

The Players.

It was not a day for forward work, and the finer points were seldom seen. To those who could forge ahead through mud and mire it was all right, and so the halves and backs had more work to do than usual. Mutch, while the Port had their innings, gave a great display, and was ably assisted by Coleman and Hume, the little chap being best. W. Low was the pick of the middle line, though Haikett had a great wing in the Bros. Findlay to stop. McNair and O'Hugan were the prime movers in. anything that was worth noting. Blackburn was also well in the running. Thomson kept it splendid goal, being lucky at times. The backs and halves were good, if a trifle robust, but the Findlay pair on the left are the "star turns."

Chatty Bits.

Aberdeen did no better and no worse than when they last visited the "Port," coming away with a point.
Rab Macfarlane was an interested spectator at the game on Saturday. He is looking as well as ever, and anxious for another "go" between the sticks.
Rab had a general confab with his old pals before the game began, and wished them luck.
The heavy ground seemed to suit McNair on Saturday, for he put in some good work.
The forwards had the worst of any luck that was going on Saturday, and under decent conditions should have been two up at the finish.
There are diverse opinions as to the penalty kick and how it occurred, but all are agreed that it did not warrant the full penalty.
Rangers got as big a fright as they had this Season from the Clyde, and the latter did not deserve to be a goal down at the finish.
Had the Shawfielders taken a point, it would have made the competition still more interesting.
Celtic's win over Airdrie puts the Parkhead team into the running for honours. They had a big leeway to make up, but if wins continue to come as they are doing, the present leaders will get a back seat.
Morton dropped R. S. Hamilton on Saturday, but they were none the better for doing so.
The "gate" at Pittodrie on Saturday was one of the smallest ever taken by the A Team. It did not cover expenses.
The crowd went to Central Park, but they did not see so good a game as that at Pittodrie. The A's came out of their shell against Kirkcaldy.
Roberts made an excellent first appearance as a half-back, and shapes better there than anywhere we have seen him.

Source: Bon-Accord, 26th November 1908