Hamilton 3 - 0 Aberdeen

The attendance at this game which took place at Hamilton, was the smallest of the season. Aberdeen, with the wind behind them in the first half, did the bulk of the pressing: yet, with the exception of Soye, no forwards seriously troubled Hamilton, whose forwards were more dangerous than the Aberdeen lot at close quarters. Half-time was reached without a score. The Academical forwards completely mastered the Aberdeen defence in the second half, and although Rippon (centre forward) was injured and changed places with McNeil, goals came quickly, McBride and Anderson adding a couple. Before the close Gardiner scored a third goal for Hamilton, who won by 3 goals to 0.

Source: The Scotsman, 17th March 1913

Aberdeen again disappointed on Saturday, when they allowed Hamilton Academicals to beat them at Hamilton by 3 goals to 0. The game was under Scottish League auspices.

The weather conditions were not of an enticing nature, snow falling at intervals, and with Celtic at Motherwell, the attendance dwindled to some 2000. The reintroduction of Lennie at outside left in place of Scorgie was somewhat of a surprise, and early in the game the Leith, little left winger were showing his paces to some purpose, Waugh being quite unequal to the task of holding him. Soye and Travers were, however, the most effective part of a Aberdeen's attack, and their shooting was generally on the mark, the extreme player twice testing Watson before play was long in progress. Hannah could make little of McNeil, and with Andersen rounding Davidson and apparently easy fashion, a good deal of danger emanated from this particular source, and but for the masterly work of King in goal, the Academicals would certainly have scored. Milne was undoubtedly the week park in Aberdeen's attack, for time and again either Soye or Lennie lobbed the ball into the danger zone, but the Aberdeen pivot was seldom prepared or improper position to take advantage, in fact he was repeatedly given offside. The Academicals forwards played so determined play that the Aberdeen defenders were constantly at full stretch, yet they not only cleared their lines, but repeatedly let those in front off advantageously.

The tension, however, told a tale in the second half. Then the Academicals forwards anxious to make siccar, bore down time and again on King's charge. A mishap to Rippon which brought about his retiral for a short space, and subsequently caused him to change places with McNeil at outside left, looked like spoiling the Academical chances, yet they managed to score, a pass from Rippon being converted, somewhat luckily, by McBride. Aberdeen's response to this reverse was whole-hearted, yet the forwards did not move with the same freedom which they had shown in the first portion, and it was seldom they were really dangerous. Aberdeen's lock was out when King, owing to a mishap, was forced to retire for repairs, and Hume for the time being took up position in goal, but before King returned Anderson with a really clever shot set seal on the issue with a second goal. Aberdeen never recovered their confidence following this second goal, and latterly they were content to defend rather than attack. Gardiner scored a third goal near the close, picking up a ball deflected by an Aberdeen defender. What would have happened had Aberdeen scored in the early stages is a matter of speculation. The forwards appeared to have the Academical defence measured, and a little more steadiness in their repeated convergence is on Watson's charge would have meant a lot. The Aberdeen half-backs were all useful without being brilliant, while Hume was easily the better back. King kept a good goal, getting rid of several dangerous tries in the first half, had his second half display need not be criticized seeing he was injured. The Academicals were best served by Watson, Eglinton, Anderson, and McNeil.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 17th March 1913

N.B. Donald Colman was away playing as Captain for Scotland in a 2-1 away victory over Ireland.