20/11/1909 | KO:
At Cappielow, Greenock, before about 5000 spectators. Hamilton was an absentee from the Morton front rank, and in consequence the play of the home attacking line was less effective than usual. The visitors had a better balanced side, and were more aggressive, particularly in the second half. Morton had first chance to score from a scramble in front of the visitors' goal, the ball, however, being finely fielded by Mutch and thrown out of danger. End to end runs ruled, the play being fast and interesting. The visitors entered on the second half with a determination to gain full points. Lennie was particularly prominent, and after many good attempts he succeeded in scoring the first goal with an unsaveable shot. Result: Aberdeen, one goal; Morton, nothing.
Source: The Scotsman, 22nd November 1909.
Aberdeen journeyed to Greenock on Saturday to meet Morton in a Scottish League fixture. Both teams were under strength. Cappielow Park, in common with other grounds, was soft, as a result of the thaw coming after the severe frost. Mr. J Bell, Dundee, was referee, and the teams were:-
Morton: P.M. Stewart; Stewart, Gibson; McIntosh, Nugent, Hendry; Schuller, Walker, Smith, McCubbin, McKnight.
Aberdeen: Mutch; Colman, Hume; Davidson, Wilson, Miller; C. V. A. McEchern, H. Murray, Simpson, Soye, Lennie.
For some minutes Aberdeen penned Morton in their own half of the field, the forwards playing up very briskly. Morton men came down with a rush, and twice Mutch was tested. Walker sent in the second shot very strongly, but the Aberdeen keeper was all they are. McKnight next put in a fine centre from the extreme left, which Mutch again cleverly dealt with, but he was lamed effort, and was observed to be limping for some time afterwards. The game and now veered round in favour of the visitors, but the back division was too strong for the attack. As a result of the pressure, the first corner fell to Aberdeen, and Lennie placed nicely. The ball danced about in front of Stewart, but he and his backs managed eventually to clear. Stewart, who was being circumvented by Lennie rather frequently, did not relish this, and he took to illegal means of defence, which brought a caution from the referee. In a raid by Morton things looked bad for the Wasps, especially when Colman, in clearing, kicked towards his own goal. Smith rushed in, but between them the ball went over the crossbar. Morton secured a corner, and a regular melee ensued in front of Mutch. The ball seemed to remain long in spite of plenty of kicking, and eventually Mutch rushed out and got it the way. Aberdeen then looked twice very like scoring, P. M. Stewart saving grandly on each occasion when everyone thought they were sure goals. McKnight was doing well for Morton, one drive in particular missing very narrowly. The game now became lively through various causes, such as too tricky tactics and decisions of the referee which seem to be very fair but which did not take well locally. Simpson had a great drive which almost found the net, but when Soye was in a position he shot too far to the right. The Aberdeen backs were not so steady as usual, Colman spooning his kicks frequently. Wilson came to the assistance of the backs on several occasions in the nick of time. Aberdeen had now another spell of pressing, but the shooting was too high, although McEchern nearly succeeded with a grounder.
On the resumption, Aberdeen continued to show the nippier play, but the kick-and-rush to play of the locals was often more dangerous. Simpson got well through on one occasion, but his effort was rather wild. At close quarters the Aberdeen forwards were not risking too much, this remark applying to both extreme wingers the specially. The Morton linesman complaints to the referee about Lennie, and shortly afterwards the Aberdeen winger had to do the same regarding the behaviour of certain spectators on the stand enclosure. After twenty minutes' play, Nugent missed his kick, and McEchern got well round him. Up to he passed across to Lenny, who was running forward to meet the ball. Neatly eluding Stewart, the left winger let drive, and the ball was in the net. The point was well deserved on play. It was a fairly good game so far, although from the advantage of play and the opportunities Aberdeen should have been leading. Morton were lucky to find themselves even at half-time. The game was now brim-full of interest, Morton striving to secure the point and Aberdeen, to increase their lead. Murray, Soye, Simpson, and Lennie all tried in rapid succession - a proof of the busy and combined way in which all were moving. There was only one team in the game now, and it was a wonder that goals were not more numerous. Time came with Lennie preparing to kick a corner.
Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 22nd November 1909
A FAST GAME.
The fog and frost, which had been suspending everything in the early part of the week, decided on Saturday to seek pastures new. and the weather was all that could be desired from a spectators' point of view when we arrived at Cappielow. The pitch was quite soft on the top, but there was a good deal of frost underneath, which made the surface rather treacherous. On starting attendance was not large, but increased considerably as the game progressed. The composition of Aberdeen's attack had been the subject of so much talk during the week that we were prepared for something good or very bad, just as the players set themselves to view the situation. In comparison with the game at Hamilton we would not have thought it was the same team performing. Aberdeen went away nicely, and the progress they were always making made us feel at once that they would win. Morton were also doing well in the open, but their attack had a bit looseness about it which failed to give even their own supporters confidence. Mutch repelled some good shots, but they were not so difficult as P. M. Stewart Had to deal with from Simpson and Bert Murray. A ding-dong pace was kept up, but in fairness, it was only towards the close of the first period that Aberdeen had the upper hand of their opponents, the teams leaving the field with a clean sheet. On resuming Aberdeen went at it full steam ahead, one shot from MacEchern very nearly doing the trick. The others imitated the right wing, and Stewart had a very busy time repelling shots. The "Wasps" were not to be denired, and MacEchern, executing a clever move on the right, swung the ball across to Lennie, who was going strong, and, meeting the ball square, it was in the net before Stewart could make a move. Though Morton made several spirited attacks, they were always well held by the halves and backs, Mutch having few shots to deal with. Aberden won on their merits, and but for extra work by the backs and goalkeeper should have finished more than one goal up.THE PLAY AND PLAYERS.
Morton have found a gem in P. M. Stewart, their amateur goalkeeper, who saved them from a big fedfeat on Saturday. He was extremely clever on several occasions, when Stuart and Gibson were easily beaten. Nugent was the better player in the middle line, where his stature came in handy against Aberdeen's midget centre.On the right, Scoular and Walker put in good work, and in the first half the inside man looked like having a 'dead pinch', but Mutch effected one of the best saves of the day. Their chief defect lay in their being unable to sustain their dash for any length of time. Aberdeen played a more consistent game all through than we have seen them do for some time. A smoothness from halves and forwards made them move along quite nicely, while at goalmouth their shots generally had some sting behind them. Mutch was in tip-top form, and it would have taken a cleverer lot than Morton had to beat him. Colman and Hume were in their usual form, though the ball got greasy and made their returns appear somewhat lofty. The halves have seldom been seen in better form, the whole line doing grand work. A great improvement was apparent in the forward line, every man was a trier, and every was sent home hard and true. It was not their fault that the goal register did not show more than one goal. Some think the Morton goalkeeper was lucky yo stop several of the shots he got to deal with. Lennie was in his best trim, and Soye made a good partner. Simpson was ideal in centre, while Murray and MacEchern were splendid on the right, making a lot of ground, and seldom wasting a ball. We should like to see the same team against the Celts; in the same form, they would run the champions hard for victory. CHATTY BITS. The visit of the champions to Pittodrie is the absorbing topic thisWeek Will Aberdeen manage to keep them in check and put a stop to their victorious run of success?. The last League victory for Aberdeen was in season 1907-3, when Aberdeen won 2-1. George Wilson will get his work cut out for him in holding the famous Jamie Quinn. The Amateur International het ween Eng?land and Ireland played it Leeds on Saturday, and ? resulted in a draw of 4 goals each. The final tie of the Scottish Qualifying Cup is due on Saturday at the grounds of the Hibs in Edinburgh. Leith and Bathgate are the finalists, and the popular fancy is that Leith will win easily. A meeting was held this week, when arrangements were made to raise subscriptions for the purpose of erecting a permanent memorial to the late Mr H. S. Wylie. Aberdeen "A" will play the Dundee Hibs at Tannadice Park this Saturday. This will be their first meeting this season under Northern League auspices. As Dundee's First League team is away from home, there should be a good crowd to see Aberdeen's reserve team. Aberdeen "A" will likely be represented by: King; Hannah and Harper; Henderson, Macfarlane, and Robertson; Hay, Scott, Mackenzie, Edgar, and Jaffray. Tom Murray is home on sick leave, and will not resume training for a week or so.Source: Bon-Accord, 25th November 1909
Morton Teamsheet
P.M. Stewart; Stewart, Gibson; McIntosh, Nugent, Hendry; Schuller, Walker, Smith, McCubbin, McKnight
Bookings:
Stewart
P.M. Stewart; Stewart, Gibson; McIntosh, Nugent, Hendry; Schuller, Walker, Smith, McCubbin, McKnight
Bookings:
Stewart
Attendance: 6,000
Venue: Cathkin Park, Glasgow
Referee: Mr. J. Bell, Dundee
Venue: Cathkin Park, Glasgow
Referee: Mr. J. Bell, Dundee
REGISTERED OFFICE:
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen AB24 5QH
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen AB24 5QH