Aberdeen 2 - 0 Hamilton

At Pittodrie, Aberdeen. The weather was as bad as could be, and the crowd was small. With wind advantage Hamilton failed miserably in the opening stages. This was due, however, in no small measure to the sterling defence of the home team, who seldom got beyond midfield. No goals were registered in the opening half. With the wind behind them, Aberdeen made things lively on resuming, and Wood smartly snapped a goal after J. Watson had saved brilliantly a moment earlier. Soye was playing finely, and Wood's goal was due to his judicious work. The visitors played hard for the equaliser, but Greig in goal was playing a capital game. McIntosh made no mistake with the first time shot from Lennie's cross, and added number two. From this point onward Hamilton's goal underwent prolonged siege, but Watson saved grandly. Result:- Aberdeen, two; Hamilton Academicals, nil.

Source: The Scotsman, 8th January 1912

About 4000 spectators at Pittodrie saw Aberdeen streets ahead of Hamilton Academicals, and win comfortably by the only two goals obtained. The conditions were anything but favourable for good football. A gale of wind prevailed from the sea end, and, with rain falling heavily during periods of the game, the ground was rendered in a bad state. In spite of this, Aberdeen rose above the circumstances and of play never was brilliant, they played quite good football, their free movements in the outfield beating the half-hearted efforts of the visitors in the background. Hamilton had the elements on their side in the first half, yet so brilliantly did the home team defend that, in spite of the fact that in the opening 25 minutes the visitors were seldom away from the local goal, they failed to get a counting shot. After that the life seemed to go out of the Academicals attack, and from then till the finish the Aberdeen' forwards took their cue from the defence. A feature of the game was the magnificent display given by the two goalkeepers. In the opening period Greig, the local custodian, had all manner of shots where old at him, yet so well did he performed his work, and so soundly did the home halves and backs play, that they gradually wore down the opposition, and after that it was comparatively plain sailing for their side. In the second period, Watson, the visiting goalkeeper, distinguished himself by many daring saves, and but for him the score might have been greater against his side.

Hemphill the visiting goalkeeper, distinguished himself by many daring saves, and but for him the score might have been greater against his side.

Hard though they kicked in the opening stages the Aberdeen defence could not get the ball away, and wind repeatedly carried it over the line, with the result that corners, saves by Greig, and goal kicks were the order of the day for quite a lengthy period. Greig's first clearance was from Carr, and then, following upon a corner, Hempel struck the upright with what must have been a scoring ball. Soye and Walker brought relief to Aberdeen, but this was only momentary, and subsequently corner after corner fell to the Academicals, but they could not pierce a solid wall of defence. Gradually the game veered around in favour of Aberdeen, and near the interval they were more in attack than were their opponents, and at half-time fully deserved to share in a goalless draw.

WELL BEATEN

The concluding half was but seconds old before the home side were harassing the visiting defence. Wood had a header which just missed, and following upon brilliant work by Soye, Watson's charge had several narrow escapes, and McIntosh had several efforts blocked. After Watson had cleared brilliantly on numerous occasions, Wood crashed the ball into the net after Soye had tried from far out. After they got the leading point Aberdeen soon monopolised the play. Watson saved a long drive from Wyllie, and but for bunching amongst themselves the homesters ought to have increased their advantage. The visiting forwards paid a surprise visit to Greig, and just when it seemed that T. Miller would get the equalizer the Aberdeen custodian nipped the ball from his foot. Following upon a cross by Lennie, McIntosh did Aberdeen further in the league and the game ended Aberdeen 2, Hamilton Academicals 0.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 8th January 1912