Aberdeen and Dundee met yesterday at Pittodrie in a league fixture, and in what has come to be known popularly as the Northern Derby. Aberdeen has so far this season had the better of the argument with the Taysiders, and yesterday's match consequent play attracted considerable attention. A large crowd lined the enclosure on the games started.
Aberdeen were without Hume, left back, who was indisposed, and Main, inside left. The formation of the Aberdeen team was notable and the appearance of J. Wyllie at centre-forward, Brewster, who appeared at centre-half, and Munro, of the reserves, who took Hume's place.
Mr. Hu Humphries, Glasgow, was referee. Aberdeen faced a strong wind in the first half, but Walker got away right from the start on a pretty bit of individual work, stopped by Aitken fouling. The wind beat Aberdeen back, and Colman and Munro were hard pressed for some time, one notable attempt for goal being sent down by Steven. The local team, on the whole, was shaping well. Anderson had banned nicely judged save when charged by Brown, who was hot-foot after a finely-placed punt by Aitken. up
A pretty piece of passing at midfield gave Fisher a splendid opening from a centre by Cargill, but he missed it badly, and sent wide. It had been the best opportunity of the game so far. As was naturally enough, considering the high wind, much of the game was being played in dangerous proximity to the home goal, but spirited interludes were supplied by Walker and Soye on the right forward wing and on more than one occasion the gave the visiting defence anxious moments. Pressed at goalmouth, Colman passed back to Anderson of a rather dangerous experiment in the circumstances, but the custodian cleared cleverly. Dundee were showing no great talent in finishing up their attempts, and a strong defence by Colman and Munro left few openings that were not worked for. The forwards, Maurice specially the right wing, were doing well when chance came along. Dundee's defence had not yet been seriously tested. With half-time nearing, Steven had a great attempt at goal, a low, hard shot that brought Anderson to the ground. It was a find save. Aberdeen broke away, and Soye, after a solid bit of work, forced a corner, but it was left on improved. Hard play following, fisher and McCulloch broke away dangerously, and Aberdeen's goal was threatened. Nothing was obtained, however, from a couple of corner kicks.
With the wind in their favour Aberdeen had easily the better of matters after the interval, and only 8 minutes had elapsed when Walker, accepting a pass from Soye, beat Masterton in brilliant fashion, the ball whizzing past the custodian at lightning speed. The Aberdeen men continued to have the upper hand, 12 minutes later, following a free-kick granted against Thomson for upsetting Archibald, Wyllie increased the northern's lead with a shot which Masterton did not see until the ball reposed in the net. Dundee retaliated with a spirited attack upon Anderson's charge, and after strenuous and occasionally clever work right in front of goal, fisher, who lay close in, easily beat the custodian. Excitement increased know and the teams were put in more into the game, Dundee indeed playing better against the wind than they had done with it. They were gradually worn down, however, and a long spell of attack upon Masterton followed. Walker, who had played in splendid combination with Soye, missed one palpably easy chance, but on the whole Aberdeen had a deal to do to outwit a stubborn defence. They were hard on the offensive in the closing stages of the game.
Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 2nd January 1915