Dundee 1 - 3 Aberdeen

At Dens Park, Dundee. Estimated attendance 9000

Aberdeen once again proved that however they may fare against other clubs they can still hold their own with Dundee even at Dens Park. They were much cleverer than their opponents on Saturday and fully deserved their victory.

Source: The Scotsman, 17th August 1914

The call to arms has made serious inroads upon the resources of the Club, and it was, under the circumstances, was gratifying to the supporters of the Aberdeen Club that the team should have opened the season so auspiciously by ousting their great Dundee the rivals at Dens Park by 3 goals to 1. The performance was the more creditable in that the support usually available at the first of the northern Derbies was denied them, there being no excursion train from Aberdeen, and consequently the 10,000 spectators were essentially followers of the home team.
As is usually the case, these inter-city matches are not productive of football of a high standard, and Saturday's was no exception, the pace at which the game was contested, very pronounced rivalry between the teams, and a keen desire to excel at the outset, all tending to lower the standard in what was otherwise a fast and most interesting game. Aberdeen clearly won on their merits. They were the better balanced side, and always played the better football, while they were more decisive in their movements and faster on the ball.

GOALS AND SCORERS

Walker opened the scoring in 7 minutes after clever work by Main, Archibald, Soye, and himself. Main hit the crossbar at close range from a pass by Walker just later, but Soye added a second with a brilliant shot after 20 minutes. Aberdeen continued to hold the upper-hand, but following upon a good cross by Hogg, McIntosh secured a simple goal for Dundee through a misunderstanding between Coleman and Anderson. Aitken, the Dundee right back, had his elbow injured, and retired for a time, while Walker the Aberdeen inside right, was also a absent for a short period while he had an injury to his head attended to. A noteworthy incident of the half was a daring saves by Anderson, who ran out of his goal and scooped the ball from Milne, who had burst clean through.< Aberdeen held their 2-1 lead at the interval.

PENALTY KICK SAVED

There was tremendous excitement in a keen second period. On the Aberdeen side, walker and Soye exchanged places for a time, but Dundee made all the running and after Montgomery hit the upright, a penalty was given against Aberdeen for a handled by Wyllie. The free-kick, taken by Thomson, was finely saved by Anderson, while Thomson at the second attempt sent weakly past. Dundee found the net through Montgomery, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Aberdeen later resumed the offensive, and a lovely cross by Soye was headed into the net by Cail. Aberdeen almost got a fourth goal through Maine, who raced through the defence but was sandwiched and brought down heavily when shooting, the ball going narrowly past.

ON THE PLAYERS

Aberdeen throughout were the more convincing combination, and all acquitted themselves well. Anderson played admirably in goal, and had many clever saves. He picked up confidently, and always got rid of the ball quickly. He was decidedly unlucky to drop a goal after his otherwise fine display. Both Colman and Hannah played soundly, and it is unfortunate for the club that Hannah as military duties will not allow of his further assistance for some time. The two worked hand in hand, with Hannah the more prominent, but Colman none the less sure.
Brewster, Wyllie, and McLaughlin, were a hefty half-back line, which gave the Dundee attack little score. The first two named were purely destructive half-backs, but McLaughlin placed well at times. Wyllie's heading was, as it invisibly is, a feature of the match.
Aberdeen's strongest advantage was in the forward line. Soye and Walker worked splendidly together, and Walker was the most bewildering forward on view. Many beautiful touches were shown on the left, where Main and Archibald should soon cultivate an effective understanding. Cail, if on the likes side, was always in the danger zone, and gave the opposing defence no end of trouble. For a first venture the players acquitted themselves with credit, and their victory should add considerably to the interest in their meeting with the Rangers at Pittodrie on Saturday.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 17th August 1914