Albion Rovers 0 - 2 Aberdeen

Aberdeen got no more than their play deserved when they beat the Albion Rovers at Coatbridge. Play in the first half-hour was even, but scrappy, neither side displaying much merit in attack. The Aberdeen men, however, were the first to pull themselves together, and the result of a fine cross from Smith was a well-taken goal by Miller. Inside five minutes Aberdeen had another goal. This time it was Miller's play that led up to the score. Passing McColgan through a cute move, he passed the ball, for Thomson to send it at express speed into the net. The second half was also in favour of Aberdeen, though Bennie and Bell each had good efforts baulked by the Northern defence. Taken all over, however, Aberdeen were considerably the better side, though failing to again find the net. In the second half considerable temper was in evidence, and much hard tackling that could well have been dispensed with. There were about 6000 spectators.

Source: The Scotsman, 4th September 1922

Aberdeen repeated history where for the third season in succession they beat Albion Rovers 2-0. Their victory on this occasion was easily obtained, indeed in the second half they gave the impression that, had they chosen to force matters, they could have won by an even more decisive margin. Coincidence did not stop with the score, as history actually repeated itself with the scorers? Miller and Thomson got the goals in the corresponding game last season.

On this occasion there never was any doubt about the superiority of Aberdeen, but it was not until three minutes from the interval that they were able to reflect it in goals?two of which came in quick succession, Miller's taken with a terrific drive from 20 yards range, followed a very accurate centre from Smith, who earlier had missed a comparatively easy chance of scoring by shooting into Britton's hands from easy range. The goal, splendidly taken by Thomson, followed brilliant play by the Miller. The latter temporarily in the inside right position, dribbled the ball well up. He was tackled by Penman, but deceived that player by 'cutely feinting to back-pass, which enabled him to carry on unmolested and cross with great accuracy to Thomson, who had anticipated the pass.
Although they only took the lead in the closing minutes, Aberdeen had generally held the whip-hand in the period. Rankine had one splendid shot, which caught the top of the upright, and the ball bounced behind, and Britton distinguished himself with fine save from Miller. At the other end Blackwell had not had much do, a high ball from Kirk and two headed efforts by Sharp alone calling for ability to deal with.

Easy Winners.

The second half saw the play more evenly distributed, but Aberdeen gave the impression that they were content to rely on their defence their maintaining their 2-0 lead. Bennie on one occasion got through to shoot from close range, but Blackwell saved finely, and at the other end Britton almost let through a pass back by McColgan. Bell had a capital effort for the Rovers, but the ball went over the bar. Aberdeen came oftener near to scoring. Britton had to clear efforts by Milne, and required two attempts to get rid of a curling ball by Grosert, who also had a shot blocked by McColgan below the bar. On another occasion Smith worked in close to goal, and was tripped when about to shoot, the failure of the referee to award a penalty kick causing surprise. Rovers often attacked, but seldom got within shooting distance of Blackwell, so firmly were they held by the Aberdeen defence. The game ended without the interval score being altered, add it could be said Aberdeen were easy and deserving winners.
Aberdeen were splendidly served in defence, Hutton, Forsyth, and A. R. Grosert meeting with most success, and forward the outstanding players were Miller and Smith.
Rovers were a poor team in comparison. Penman and McColgan were stout defenders, and McSkimming, who played well at centre-half, suffered by the weakness of the men on either side. In a disjointed attack Bell and Sharp were best. The attendance of 5000 on a fine aftenoon was disappointing, and was due largely to the amount of unemployment in a usually busy industrial district.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 4th September 1922