Clyde 1 - 0 Aberdeen

Still one more blow was dealt at Aberdeen football on Saturday, when, at Shawfield, Glasgow, Clyde defeated Aberdeen were the only goal of the game in a Scottish League match. This is a 12th defeat Aberdeen have sustained this season, and as the result they are still well established at the foot of the league table. On this latest occasion they were most unlucky to lose. Clyde's solitary goal was attended by considerable doubt as to its legality, but apart from that, had Aberdeen shown themselves that all capable near goal and must have won with comfort. Barely 4000 people watched a game which, if lacking in football of a high standard, had the redeeming feature of being interesting and exciting. Neither team could be charged with giving uneven display, but at different periods both were seen two advantage. Aberdeen had not previously lost that Shawfield since season 'O8 and '09, and had not bad luck dogged their efforts on Saturday that recorded have still been theirs.

LOST CHANCES

Clyde kicked off, and the judicious tackle by Colman nullified a dangerous-looking raid by Allan in the opening stages. Aberdeen played up well thereafter, and score be sent over a nice cross which Farrell cleared. Wilson caught the clearance, but his shot for goal was wide. For fully 10 minutes Aberdeen maintained a persistent pressure, but the ineffectiveness which has cost them so many points this season was again in evidence, and what time they might have been two goals to the good so far as chances allowed, they had to be content with a blank result at the end of 15 minutes. Soye and McLeod on the visitors right showed clever manipulation, and they made ground very fast. On one occasion the Main was slow to trap a fine cross from the right winger, and an excellent chance was lost. Clyde gradually wore down the attack, but when they got on the move they lack the outfield accuracy of their opponents, while at close quarters they were equally ineffective. The Aberdeen defence, especially that of Colman, Hannah, and Wyllie, was exceptionally strong, and the trio often charged down shots which must have found the net. Aberdeen were given a great chance when Gilligan missed, but Scorgie, unprepared for this happening, turned the ball across the goal. Main got possession, and back-heeled into goal, but, as bad luck would have it, he back-heeled to Farrell's foot, and the back cleared.

THE DECIDING POINT

Pluckily and well as they played, Aberdeen were doomed from first to last to disappointment. They fell into arrears in the most unfortunate fashion, and could simply get nothing to go right with them. Clyde's valuable goal came as the result of a series of shots. Corcoran shot for Greig to save. Fleming followed up, and deflected the return to Corcoran, and he shot, the ball glancing off Greig's foot into the net. Greig might have held the ball, but his vision was partially obscured by Fleming, whom he anticipated would be given offside. The Aberdeen players protested that Fleming was offside, but the referee stopped to his decision. This was only one of the many incidents in a game in which Aberdeen's luck could honestly be said to have been "dead out." Up the goal enabled Clyde to lead at the interval, just as it enabled them to claim both points at the finish.

ABERDEEN'S VAIN CLAIM

In the second half Aberdeen continued their plucky yet Maine struggle with adversity. Main had one very fine effort from long range, which just missed, and then Aberdeen's sound defence was proved by the repulsion of a really good Clyde attack. Several corners fell to the lot of the Shawfield team, and Greig saved well on more than one occasion. One of the best pieces of play in the game was served up by Main. The Pittodrie centre ran practically the length of the field, and beat the whole Clyde defence. He centered to Scorgie, but the left-winger failed to rise to the occasion, and are really brilliant piece of work went for nothing. Aberdeen's rank bad luck was again in evidence just before the close. One of the Shawfield defenders was seen to handle, and the whole Aberdeen team appealed for a penalty-kick. The referee who apparently failed to see the incident properly, and consulted both his linesmen, but the result of the conference was a throw-up in front of the Clyde goal. Thus the game was lost and won. Aberdeen's weak finishing had much to do with the result, but on the run of play never deserved to lose, and were most unfortunate to surrender the points.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 15th December 1913