Aberdeen played their sixth successive home engagement on Saturday, when they defeated Greenock Morton under Scottish League auspices of by 3 goals to 1. There were 8000 spectators, and the weather was beautiful, although a nasty crosswind prevailed. The teams were:-
Aberdeen: King; Colman, Hume; Wilson, Wyllie, Millar; Soye, McIntosh, W. D. Nichol, Travers, Lennie.
Greenock Morton: Bradford; Jackson, Stewart; May, Stark, McIntosh; Spiers, McLean, Gracie, O'Hagan, Lindsay.
Referee - Mr. J. B. Stark, Airdrie.
Aberdeen won the toss, had played with the sun from the King Street end. Morton were the first to make headway, and Hume intercepted Gracie at the start. Aberdeen soon assumed the aggressive, and successive but fruitless corners followed for them. Keeping up sustained pressure, the home van swarmed round the visiting backs, but the pair did not falter. Nichol had a great hook shot blocked by Stewart, and more corners fell to Aberdeen, but without goals accruing. Lennie and Travers were specially tricky in the home attack, and the outside man provided some amusement by the way he tricked Jackson. There was a deal of clever work in the outfield, but Morton were seldom allowed west. While this was so, however, the local forwards were not allowed to get near Bradford. Nichol had numerous rushes, but he was kept well in check. O'Hagan after a time caught the eye in the Morton attack, and a clever way he brought play into home territory elicited hearty admiration. He got little assistance, however, and Colman and Hume cleared. May collided with Lennie, and had to retire, and it was during his absence and after 25 minutes' play, that Aberdeen opened the scoring, Lennie giving nicely to McIntosh, who shot the ball past Bradford. Subsequently Aberdeen attacked with greater vigour, but while they had practically all the play, they could not increase the score, although Nichol, Travers, Soye, and Lennie all had tries. After another all he can read, Aberdeen increased their lead. Nichol, finding himself blocked, gave to Lennie, and the winger, being well placed, slipped the ball past Bradford. Aberdeen continued the aggressive after this for a time, and Nichol had another good try at Bradford. Nearing the interval Morton improved considerably, and Lindsay got well down, but failed to cross. Later O'Hagan had two lovely solo efforts. He crossed accurately from the corner flag. On the first occasion King fisted away, and on the second Wyllie cleared before Stark got steadied to shoot. Mary turned, and went inside right, vice McLean, but the change brought no material good.
There was a sensational reopening, Nichol kicked off and gave to Travers. The inside man slipped an opponent, and sent the ball well ahead for the centre to rush through and score a lovely goal from 20 yards' range. Gracie was next in evidence with a good try at King, but the ball went high. O'Hagan next got into the limelight, and he had some cleverly executed dribbles, and opened out the play. His colleagues, however, did not respond too well, and failed to pick up chances which the ex-Pittodrie player made. The Aberdeen attack again got moving, and some brilliant outfield work was witnessed, but weak finishing spoiled all their efforts. McIntosh had a great drive luckily blocked by Stark, and Wilson when well placed, shot wretchedly. McIntosh got off with a clear run, but hampered by a pursuing back he shot high, while Nicol also had an effort which went slightly wide. Then Lennie followed with a brilliant shot on the run, but Bradford cleared splendidly, while later Soye missed from a difficult and goal. Good work by O'Hagan transfer of play, and after Hume had muddled, the Irish internationalist beat King close in. Morton were soon back to the attack, and Gracie got through. He sent the ball too far ahead, however, and King rushing out, picked up and cleared in great style. After this the play of the Aberdeen forwards deteriorated considerably, and the defence were kept busy, although King was not again seriously tested. O'Hagan executed many clever movements, but failure to support and kept Morton from reducing the leeway. After Soye had brought relief, a heart attack was set up against Bradford, and near the close he dealt with a perfect hill of high shots in masterly style. All over Morton were well beaten, although the backs and goalkeeper came very creditably out of the game.
This victory places Aberdeen equal with Rangers at the top of the league table, each having 40 points for 27 matches played.<.p>
Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 6th March 1911