Aberdeen 3 - 0 Airdrie

At Aberdeen. The boisterous weather was against a class display, but good football was seen for all that. The visitors played robustly at the start, and Aberdeen took some time to get into their stride. They soon showed their paces, however, when they got going, and just on half-time Wood got the only goal of the period from a cross by Lennie. Twenty minutes after the restart Davidson, Aberdeen?s half-back, had to be carried off, and to make amends, as it were, Wood secured a second goal for his side. Wood added a third as time was called, and Aberdeen deservedly won by three goals to nothing.

Source: The Scotsman, 6th November 1911

By 3 goals to 0 Aberdeen followed up their recent series of Scottish League victories by defeating Airdrieonians at Pittodrie on Saturday. In spite of a cold atmosphere following upon a former no rain, there was an attendance of about 7000 spectators, who, while they got little to enthuse over the play, were delighted with the maintenance of Aberdeen's good form, following upon the adverse lock experienced earlier in the season. The margin of victory did not at all flutter the winning side, four, indeed, had it not been the brilliant custodianship of Ewart, Airdrie would have sustained a much bigger defeat. There were occasions when the visiting forwards were dangerous, especially in the opening stages, but afterwards their efforts were of the half-hearted order. The defence was none too sound, but had a tremendous amount of work to go through. Their tackling was better than their clearing, yet neither was up two 1st class standard. Repeatedly several members of the side came under the ban of the referee, and, indeed, had their methods been less robust, there would have been fewer stoppages on account of injuries to players. Aberdeen, on the other hand, while they did well, did not altogether play an attractive game, and it may have been that the nature of the opposition did not take the best out of the players. The half-back line took some time to settle down, and there was a consequent disorganisation amongst the forwards. After the initial 10 minutes, however, during which time Airdrie brought severe pressure to bear upon the home goal, the side came more into the game. Shaking off the opposition, the Hearts' appeared to recover themselves, and the forwards got well agoing. The resoluteness of the Airdrie defence defied them for a long time, but, after the first goal, the issue was really never in doubt. While Ewart got a tremendous amount of work to go through, there were several occasions upon which the use of more judgment would have brought goals to the home side. Aberdeen's win was of the convincing order considering the conditions, and such displays will bring many points to the Pittodrie club.

THE GAME

Winning the toss, Airdrieonians had sun and breeze behind them in the opening half, and we're not slow to take advantage of these assets at the start. Twice in succession Greig was sorely troubled by shots from Templeman and Young, while he followed this up by fisting away from Cole. Well led by Thomson, the Airdrie attack kept Aberdeen defending for a period, and there were several likely shots charged down or blocked. Lennie brought relief, and Ewart effected a great clearance from the wingers cross, while Main and Wood or in close attendance. Would later had a likely chance to open the account, but failed to get his food properly on the ball. Once they got going, the home forwards cut out the work for the Airdrie backs. Bonthron kept a good hold of Lennie, but upon the line forsaking the close in favour of an open game the several times came near to scoring. Soye sent over several pattern centres, and from one of these Main almost scored with his head, Ewart getting the ball away in brilliant style. Playing vigorously and well backed up by the rear divisions, the Aberdeen forwards repeatedly bore down on the Airdrie goal, and only daring rushes out to clear by Ewart averted downfall. Main had a creditable try from long range before he could actually open the score. Ewart rushed out to intercept Lennie, but the forward spooned the ball over the keeper's head in front of goal, and Main breasted it through. There was no further scoring in the period.

The visiting defence was in early in trouble in the second half, and only more daring saves by Ewart kept the home side from increasing their lead. Walker missed a likely chance by shooting past, and Wilson and Wyllie had tries which failed to take effect. Following upon minor injuries to other players, Davidson had to be carried off the field consequent upon a leg injury, but he was able to resume after about 10 minutes' absence. While this player was off, Aberdeen augmented their total, Wood capping a brilliant piece of work by giving Ewart no chance to save. After this the Aberdeen left engaged in some gallery work, and if nothing effective accrued, the spectators were supplied with some humour by the antics of Lennie and Wilson. So one-sided was the play that the game in the later stages was somewhat lacking in interest. With their strong lead Aberdeen did not strenuously endeavour to obtain more goals, yet it was practically a foregone conclusion when Wood added another in the last minute.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 6th November 1911