Hamilton 1 - 1 Aberdeen

Played at Hamilton, before 6000 spectators. Aberdeen were without both their usual back, Coleman and Hume, who were substituted by Hannah and Harper, while the Academicals played W. Miller at centre-forward, vice Jennings. The teams had great difficulty in controlling the light bounding ball on the fast ground, while a glaring sun added to their difficulties. Play was very fast, yet the lighter Academical forwards found great difficulty in settling down against the robust play of the Aberdeen defenders. The first half had almost run its course when Soye got the first goal of the match as the result of clever play by the Aberdeen left wing pair, and in the few minutes left till the interval the Academicals equalised cleverly through Tom Miller. There was quite a series of mishaps in the second half, which was fought out on stubborn lines. The heavier defence of Aberdeen proved more than a match for the lighter Academical forwards, and mishaps were frequent. Eventually Lennie, in collision with Davie, was placed hors de combat. There was no slackening of the pace, and the game had to be stopped frequently owing to mishaps to players, J. H. McLaughlin being twice knocked out, although able to continue play to the end. Main, the centre-forward of Aberdeen, made strenuous efforts to score, as did Waugh and W. Miller for the home side, yet all efforts were discounted by steady defences, and when the final whistle sounded the half-time score was unaltered - one goal each.

Source: The Scotsman, 4th September 1911

Some exciting play was witnessed by 6000 spectators at Hamilton on Saturday, when, under Scottish League auspices, the Aberdeen team shared in a one goal draw with the Academicals. Plate throughout was very fast, and the game at times, especially during the second period, was marked by much foul play on the part of both sides. Indeed, in the second half the players got practically beyond the control of the referee, and while several of them received minor hurts, it would not have been surprising had very serious injury been inflicted. Taking the game all over, and considering the amount of pressure applied by Hamilton, Aberdeen were fortunate to draw. They were easily the better side in the first period, even although they were not the more dangerous. Their methods were more convincing and methodical than those of the Academicals, the right from the start pursued and clung to a rushing game, in which their modus operandi was to kick the ball ahead and force home the attack by resolute following up. Fortunately for Aberdeen, for whom Hannah and Harper, the reserve backs, substituted Colman and Hume, the half-backs in the first period, when these tactics looked like being most successful, were in great form, and Hannah by resolute if robust play proved a tower of strength at back. The football in the game was supplied by Aberdeen. In striking contrast to their lackadaisical efforts of the previous week, the forwards played a fine go-ahead game. There was little of that hanging to the ball, which was such a factor in their defeat the previous week. The ball went quickly from man to man, and no time was lost in making ground. These remarks alone apply to the first period of the game. The second half bore little resemblance to a football match. There were numerous stoppages occasioned by injuries to players on both sides, and on several occasions the referee had to act as mediator between players on the respective sides. In the course of the game two players had to be carried from the field. These were McNeil, outside left of the home team, when the first half was badly grassed by Hannah, but was able to resume after a 10 minute's absence. Subsequently the trainers of both clubs had their services requisitioned on the field in attending to players' injuries. Twenty minutes from the finish Lennie, Aberdeen's outside left, was badly fouled by Davie, and had to be carried off. He was unable to resume. Shortly after this, Main, the Aberdeen centre, was kicked by an opponent, and although he remained on the field, he was of no assistance to his side. Some of the tactics resorted to buy players were far removed from Matt which should characterize a football match, and had the referee been more firm, and ordered several men off the field, he would have been quite justified. A regrettable feature of the match was at many of the spectators we're not slow to encourage the home team in these tactics, and this to a great extent accounted for many of the unfortunate incidents which characterized the match. At the end of the game few of the players on either side were immune from minor injuries, and several were limping badly.

THE GAME

The start gave promise of a most interesting game. The Academicals with their rushing tactics were soon and threatening King, but good punting by Hannah enabled Aberdeen to show up in some fine combining passages. Davie and A. Miller, the home backs, however, repelled these attacks, but not before McIntosh had a shot which went past. Subsequently Hamilton applied determined pressure, but they often kicked wildly, and several shots meant for King from midfield went high over the bar. The custodian tipped over a great shot from T. Miller, and then Wood cost Watson to clear. Repeated attempts were made by the homesters to rush the Aberdeen defence, and in the repelling of these Wyllie was a great factor. Harper repeatedly missed his kick, but his mistakes were covered by other members of the defence. Repeatedly Aberdeen runs were nullified by offside decisions, and this fact and numerous files detracted from interest in the game. Wood had one very pretty dribble in which he beat for opponents, but Lennie was not allowed to make ground. The last 10 minutes before the interval were the most interesting of the match. Aberdeen, well led by Main, swooped down in a body, but Wilson drove past, while later Soye had a shot blocked by A. Miller. In Aberdeen scored. Pretty individual play by Main enabled Lennie to make ground. He passed ahead again to Main, who, blocked by the home backs, allowed the ball to go to Soye, and the right winger crash the ball into the net. It was after this that this foul play really commenced. Soye had just scored, when he was kicked by an opponent for no apparent reason and the referee had to interfere. The ball had only just been centred when Hamilton equalized. McNeil carried the ball down, and harper getting possession hesitated in clearing. In the scrimmage which followed, the ball went to T. Miller 20 yards out, and he flashed the ball into the net. Aberdeen attacked after this, but there was no further scoring, and the game was one all at the interval.

FOOTBALL AT A DISCOUNT

Football was at a discount in the second half, and a more scrappy game could not well be imagined. Hamilton goal had a narrow escape at the outset, but Main and McIntosh were penalized for charging the goalkeeper. Then McIntosh shot over the bar from long range. A brilliant piece of play by Waugh followed. He dribbled through the Aberdeen defence, but shot weekly for King to save, while later when favourably placed T Miller sent high. After this Aberdeen almost took the lead. Main got through between the backs, but Watson rushing out the ball cannoned often to midfield. The Aberdeen forwards had repeated rushes, but these did not look like being productive of goals. The closing. Of the half found the home side the aggressors for the greater part, but the Aberdeen defence held out. The frequent fouling completely spoilt a game which, had it been prolonged, would have ended in the survival of the fittest.
On the whole, but the Aberdeen were fortunate, they deserved a draw, and perhaps the final whistle was never more welcome to players are spectators.

The gate, which amounted to £120, was a record for an Aberdeen visit to Hamilton.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 4th September 1911