Aberdeen 1 - 0 Raith Rovers

Raith Rovers lost their chance in the first half of the fixture against Aberdeen at Pittodrie Park when so many opportunities were allowed to go a-begging against a defence which at times was shaky. In the second half Aberdeen came away strongly, and had much the better of the exchanges. The visitors? defence was overworked, and it was only the aid of some good fortune that confined the scoring to the only goal obtained by Connon, centre forward, seven minutes after the resumption of play, consequent on a fine cross by Middleton, the right winger. Aberdeen were not convincing winners, and were best served by Wright, Middleton, Thomson, and Yule. Raith Rovers' prominent players were Dickson, Inglis, Berry, Burrell, Duncan, and Archibald.

Source: The Scotsman, 25th October 1920

Aberdeen have been a long time getting their first Saturday win at Pittodrie, but now the spell has been broken - not decisively, it is true - Raith Rovers only going under by what should not have been the only goal, but now that victory has come to the team on two successive Saturdays, the confidence of the Pittodrie players should be enhanced. Over Raith Rovers it was a scrape-through victory which was typified by the goal. Seven minutes of the second period had gone when Wright clipped nicely along to Middleton The winger got over a low centre to the waiting Connon, who with his instep virtually scooped the ball into the net close to the post. It was not a spectacular goal, but was well taken. If the Raith Rovers had been worth their salt at close quarters they could just about have had the issue safe at the interval, but they were woeful finishers, and some grand opportunities went unimproved upon. Not that Aberdeen were any better in this department, for they too had their opportunities, although not nearly to the same extent as the visitors. if Ravers had a deal of bad luck in the period, bad play was really the cause of their having to be content with a blank division the interval.

Weak Finishing.

At one stage the ball crossed and recrossed in front of the Aberdeen goal, and neither attacker nor defender could give it a decisive kick until finally Milne came to the rescue. There were many other occasions when the Aberdeen goal was fortunate to escape downfall. Duncan was clean through, only to send weakly into the watchful Anderson's hands, and later both Duncan and Waite, with practically an open goal in front, miskicked against defenders. Archibald had a fine opening, and when a score looked imminent Anderson shot out his foot to get the ball away. The culminating point of the Rovers' misfortunes occurred close to the interval, when Waite crashed the ball against the Aberdeen upright. Dickson's goal, too, had its narrow escapes, and a little more steadiness on the part of the Aberdeen attackers must have led to its downfall. The best football in the period came from the Rovers, their wingers, Birrell and Archibald, showing to advantage, but the inside men, at close quarters, failed to follow up their clever work in midfield. Considering the many chances afforded them by a shaky home defence, Raith Rovers ought to have been well ahead at the interval, but as events proved, they never again got the same opportunities. The Aberdeen prospect was not at all bright in the short period preceding Connor's goal, but subsequent to that the home team showed considerable improvement, and there was a decided falling off in the play of the visitors' attack, although their rear divisions stood up well. Middleton especially was repeatedly dangerous, and such as Connon, Thomson, and Rankine were a trifle unfortunate in failing to add to the score. In the later stages at any rate, it can be said that the Rovers' goal experienced a share of the good fortune that had helped Aberdeen in the earlier period. Connon had two lovely first time efforts, one in particular with the inside his foot, which just grazed the crossbar. On another occasion Dickson shot out his foot to save from Connon just as Anderson had done to baulk Archibald in the first half, and Thomson had several creditable tries with his head.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 25th October 1920