Third Lanark 1 - 1 Aberdeen

About 3000 people assembled at Cathkin Park to witness the meeting of Third Lanark and Aberdeen. The visitors were the first to attack, but without result, and the Third paid a protracted visit to MacFarlane. Eventually they were driven back, and after some mid field play the visiting forwards got to close quarters, and Murray scored. MacFarlane was bombarded again, but proved equal to all requirements, and the interval arrived with the score standing:- Aberdeen, one goal; Third Lanark, nothing. Play improved considerably in the second half, but for a long time all efforts went for nothing, a succession of corners being the only result. Ultimately, from a scrimmage in front of goal, Griffiths equalised, and although the game was stubbornly contested until the close, there was no further scoring. Result:- One goal each.

Source: The Scotsman, 15th December 1907

Aberdeen and Third Lanark met at Cathkin Park, Glasgow, on Saturday in their return Scottish League fixture. There was only a moderate attendance when the game started, of later on the crowd increased to fully 3500. The pitch was very soft after the heavy rainfall of the previous night. At 2:15 teams lined up as follows:-

Aberdeen: Macfarlane; Colman, Hume; Davidson, McIntosh, Low; Macdonald, Simpson, Murray, O'Hagan, Muir.
Third Lanark: Brownlee; Barr, Hill; McIntosh, Sloan, Ferguson; Griffiths, Gilchrist, Richardson, McFie, Motherwell.
Referee - Mr. Lythgoe, Glasgow.

Third Lanark won the toss, but no advantage was gained, there being no wind. The game opened briskly, and it was soon evident that the Third Lanark work to make a great effort to pull off the match, for prior to Saturday they had been on the losing side for six weeks in succession. Both teams exited lively football during the opening stages, but gradually the Volunteers took the game in hand, and it would have occasioned little surprise had they scored in the first ten minutes. Aberdeen were hard pressed, and Third Lanark were awarded a corner. This was successfully cleared by Colman, but the home team were persistent, and two free kicks near the Aberdeen penalty line looked promising. Macfarlane, however, cleared on each occasion. Play for a time ruled fairly even, but Aberdeen were very slow in getting into the game, especially in the front rank. A clever run by Griffiths on the Volunteers' are right wing raised the hopes of the home team's supporters, but the heavy ground was all against accurate shooting, and several easy chances were lost. Macdonald broke away on the Aberdeen right, and was going straight for goal when he was badly fouled. McIntosh and Low were conspicuous in the Aberdeen half-back line, while Davidson also did well. From a breakaway by the Third Lanark left wing, Motherwell had a fine opening, but he preferred to slip the ball into the centre. Richardson made a capital attempt to open the scoring, his shot grazing the crossbar. Aberdeen for the most part were kept on the defensive, and only at rare intervals were their forwards allowed to get beyond midfield. The visitors' defence, however, was safe, Macfarlane in particular being prominent in clearing numerous shots. Shooting could not be described as deadly, however, for the goalkeeper had invariably plenty of time to clear. Sloan rushed through the Aberdeen defence, and it appeared any odds on him scoring, but he sent the ball wide of the posts. So far the football was not particularly attractive, but the keen mess displayed by both sides made up for any shortcomings so far as the quality of the play was concerned. The Aberdeen goal narrowly escape downfall when Richardson rushed past the backs, but Low recovered finely. A long shot by Barr was easily saved by Macfarlane, and in the next minute Murray lead an attack by the Aberdeen forwards. The centre kept the ball well under control, and subsequently passed out to Muir on the left wing. The last named centred near the penalty line, but Low's attempt at scoring went over the bar. Aberdeen were now having more of the game, Murray keeping the wings well supplied with the ball. The half-backs too, kept the game open, and for a time the Third Lanark backs got more than they bargained for. Barr hesitated on one occasion in getting his kick in, and Murray smartly robbed him of the ball, and then raced straight ahead for goal, but his parting shot was saved by Brownlie. Keeping up the pressure, Aberdeen were enabled to open the scoring after fully 15 minutes' play. The ball was lifted gently towards the Third Lanark goal, and while hill was in the active clearing, Murray rushed in, and gave the custodian no chance to save. The homesters retaliated with a determined attack on the Aberdeen goal, but the shooting of the Cathkin forwards left much to be desired. Nevertheless Macfarlane had several awkward shots to deal with. Twice he saved cleverly from corners, and again he got down on his knees in clearing from Sloan. The game at this stage was almost a continual bombardment of the Aberdeen goal, but over-anxiety on the part of the Cathkin forwards was responsible for many comparatively easy openings being missed. Half-backs and backs alike tried their utmost to get the equaliser, but Macfarlane was unbeatable. Gilchrist spoiled are rare chance of scoring to hesitancy, for he had the gold practically at his mercy, but allowed himself to be tackled and robbed by Hume. McIntosh headed out a stinging shot from the centre, and subsequently Colman and Low were seen to advantage in defending their goal. It was indeed a most peculiar game, for the Third Lanark, having all the play and plenty of openings, were a goal down when they ought to have been at least a couple to the good. Still the Aberdeen defence deserve all credit for their display, and none more than Macfarlane, who was really in capital form. Twice he got rid of shots that would probably have beaten most goalkeepers, while on another occasion he rushed out and cleared from a corner in daring fashion. Latterly Aberdeen transfer to play to the other end. Getting the ball in his own half of the field, Macdonald beat the Third Lanark backs and was soon in the vicinity of Brownlie. The right winger tried a fast shot on the run, and only missed the net by inches. The home lot played desperately hard for the equalizing goal, but half-time found Aberdeen leading by 1 goal to 0, although Sloan missed scoring from a penalty given against Hume.

Third Lanark were the first to press when the game was restarted. The ball was carried up the field by Richardson, who sent in a fast shot along the ground, but Macfarlane brought off a clever save. Aberdeen broke away on the left, and Brownlie had to clear a high shot from the centre. A miskick by Hume lead in the Third Lanark right wing. Gilchrist and Griffiths made the most of their openings, but faulty passing by the first named, when in a good position, allowed Colman to step in, and with a strong kick transfer the game to near the Third Lanark goal. Muir and O'Hagan exhibited many fine touches on the left wing, and although Lennie's absence told against the Aberdeen forward play as a whole, still Muir played a wonderfully good game. His centring was invariably good, and twice, at least, the left winger's crosses we're badly missed. Muir tried to break through on his own, but Barr blocked him at the expense of a corner. The greasy ball spoiled many attempts at goal scoring by both teams. The Third Lanark forwards, however, were at fault on several occasions, when a little steadiness would have paid them better. Sloan was most energetic in his efforts on behalf of his side, but the majority of his shots for goal went high over the bar. For a time there was no holding back the Third Lanark forwards. Colman pulled up Motherwell on the left winger was going straight for goal, and then Hume gave away a corner when he was harassed by Griffiths. The ball was finally placed by Griffiths, and a regular scramble ensued round the Aberdeen goal. Macfarlane could be seen clearing his lines while surrounded by a crowd of players, and another corner followed. The ball came across from the left, and during an exciting scrimmage almost under the bar Griffiths forced the ball into the net, the equaliser being scored 20 minutes after half-time. The game now entered upon an interesting stage. The home players redouble their efforts, and for a time it looked as though Aberdeen were unbeaten side. Macfarlane, however, was at the top of his form and saved a fast drive from the centre forward. Motherwell was prominent on the left wing, and from one of his crosses the Aberdeen goal had another narrow escape. The ball came to Griffiths, who was only a few yards from goal, but he unaccountably missed one of the easiest chances of the game. Aberdeen then took up the running, and were helped by the faulty play of the Third Lanark backs. Muir and O'Hagan were very clever on the left wing, and the bulk of the forward play was initiated by these players. Simpson had an easy chance of placing his side ahead, but he shot feebly into the goalkeeper's hands. Time was close at hand, and the spectators gave the home team every encouragement to play up. They responded, but were met by a most determined opposition. Low, McIntosh, and, in a lesser degree, Davidson performed splendidly at half-back. A fast drive from O'Hagan was caught by Brownlie, or perhaps the best shot of the match was sent in at this stage by Murray. The ball came with great force towards Brownlie, who saved a shot, but the ball rebounded off the crossbar, and landed a few yards out from goal. Free kicks and corners fell to the Third Lanark near the close of the game, but there was no further scoring, and the game ended - Aberdeen 1 goal, Third Lanark 1. Macfarlane gave a great display of goal keeping for Aberdeen, and his saving practically gained the 1. for Aberdeen.

The gate amounted to £78.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 16th December 1907

A Hard and Even Game.

The weather was ideal for football at Cathkin Park on Saturday, though the early journey from Aberdeen had not a great inspiring influence on the players. It was quite evident that the Third have lost their hold on the Glasgow public, for they were tardy, in coming forth to show their faith in the "Warriors" winning. Desperation was characteristic of the opening stages when the teams took the field, the fact having been impressed on the home side that they had not earned a point for seven weeks, and must do something to retrieve their lost laurels. Lennie and Halket did not travel, and Muir and Davidson filled the vacancies. The start was not to our idea at all, for the home forwards got away with a rush, their intention being to carry the visitors off their feet. The backs took their gruelling like men, and when they were beat Macfarlane was able to stop anything, no matter where it came from. Aberdeen were doing little at this stage, but once they got going they gave everyone the impression they meant business. By one of the cutest moves we have yet seen Murray try, he eluded Hill, and had the ball in the net, leaving the back and goalkeeper to wonder how it was done. Shortly after this Macdonald whipped across a great ball which he picked up on the line, and Murray had Brownlee again beaten. This point was disallowed on the ground that the ball was out of play before Macdonald reached it. We hae oor doots. On half-time the Third had a golden chance by Hume giving away a penalty, which Sloan failed to convert. Aberdeen took a firmer hold of the game on resuming the second period, but the home side were not through with, and from a soft shot by Griffiths from a corner, the scores were equal. A ding-dong game till the last ten minutes, when Aberdeen simply peppered Brownlie with shots, just as hard as anything that Macfarlane had at the start. The game ended one goal each, which on play was value for no more to either side.

The Players.

Aberdeen missed the presence of Willie Lennie and Ecky Halket in the team on Saturday. Muir was not at home for some time, till he came to understand O'Hagan's style, then he put in some good work, and under the circumstances was the best change the directors could have made. Murray was the best forward on the field by a long chalk, O'Hagan coming next. Simpson was just a trifle selfish by sticking too long to the ball. Macdonald was better than we have seen him for some weeks. The halves were good, Mackintosh being the cleverest, with Low not far behind. Davidson had a tricky pair to watch, and did fairly well. The backs were great, with Macfarlane on the very top of his form. There was a better understanding in the Third's defence than there was in any other department of the team. Sloan was great at centre half, but the forwards went too much on their own to be a scoring lot. All things considered, the game was worth no more than a draw, with Aberdeen deserving sympathy for travelling under strength.

Chatty Bits.

Aberdeen keep mounting up the table, and are ahead of what they were at this time last year.
Lennie and Halket were interested spectators at Pittodrie on Saturday.
Early starts are a non-paying concern in the League just now.
Macfarlane was in great form at Cathkin. We have not seen him to so great advantage this season. At the start he was unbeatable.
Macintosh got a severe strain to the muscles of his right leg, and had to be medically attended to on arrival home on Saturday.
Trainer Simpson thinks that the injury has been attended to in time, and that he will be fit for Saturday.
The other two injured men are also reported to be on the highway to recovery and will be out this week.
Tom Drain was reserve at Cathkin Park on Saturday. He entered the bonds of wedlock on Friday night.
Muir, who assisted at the ceremony, was in fine condition at the match, but he took a little time to get into the style of play.
On the heavy ground the Third ploughed through at a great pace, and satisfied their directors who were very anxious as to the result.
If the Third had hard lines at the start in not scoring, Aberdeen had equally the same experience in the second half, when both Simpson and Macdonald hit the posts.
The penalty given against Hume was not worth the decision as the ball was played against his hand.
The A's overdid the close-passing game on Saturday, and but for the good defence of Brebner and Tait in keeping out the Thistle might have lost.
Buckie have a splendid centre half who thoroughly kept Collins in hand.
In returning to Northern League games this week the Reserves will have to put a little more vim in their shooting.
Their fiddling in front of goal for position has been their un- doing in the last two encounters. It must be given up if they are to make any further progress.
R. G. Tait was a success at back on Saturday. He has a wonderful turn of speed and kicks strongly.
There was a meeting of referees last Friday in the Richmond Café, Owing to, the bad weather was decided to adjourn till Monday first, when another meeting will be held to elect office? bearers. As every official is invited, whether he is a referee or not, we trust to see a large number present.