Aberdeen 1 - 2 Albion Rovers

Albion Rovers' victory over Aberdeen, before 10,000 spectators at Aberdeen, was well deserved, and gave great joy to the Coatbridge men, who have still a chance of escaping relegation to the Second Division of the League. Britton's brilliant goalkeeping helped them greatly at Pittodrie, and Penman and McColgan gave nothing away. Fleming and Walls scored goals by which the Rovers led at half-time. It was only on the last minute of the match, after a grim struggle, that Aberdeen scored by a header by Smith, the left winger. Till then want of proper finishing nullified Aberdeen's persistent pressure.

Source: The Scotsman, 16th April 1923

Playing with a desperation born of their precarious position in the League table, Albion Rovers confounded the critics and sprung a surprise on Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday, when they won their penultimate League fixture by the odd goal in three. They had to win if there was any chance of their remaining in the upper circle, and with a tenacity and nippiness which aroused the admiration of the crowd of about 12,000 that witnessed the encounter.
Aberdeen's team had a peculiar look about it. The familiar faces of Hutton, Robertson, Middleton, and Connon were missing, and were replaced those of Bruce, McLeod, Moir, and Johnny Miller, who led the van for the first time since his injury in September. The visitors were without Cameron, their centre half, whose place was filled by McLaren, but their team was strong in every department. By reason of their superiority in "punch," and their refusal to admit defeat, the Coatbridge men were worth their narrow win, which was contributed to, however, by weak finishing on the part of the home forwards, Miller and Grant being particular sinners in this respect. Each man was good in the outfield, but when it came to close quarters the task of shooting was generally left to someone else, with the inevitable result that an alert defender - and there were no backward ones in the visitors' ranks - nipped, in and put paid to the movement. Britton was safe in the visiting goal, and, though injured in the second half, he stuck pluckily to his task. He had two grand backs in front of him in Penman and McColgan, the former being particularly safe, although Smith gave him some trouble in the first half. Of the halves, all were good, with McLaren, the stop-gap, the best on the field. Forward, the right wing was the more dangerous, and the line was ably led Christie, who proved a most troublesome opportunist.
For Aberdeen, Blackwell was quite safe, and got little to do compared with his vis-à-vis. He and Forsyth were at fault in conceding the second goal, the back being the worst sinner. Bruce and Forsyth were quite good at back, with the former, perhaps, the more conspicuous. MacLachlan was the best half, Milne having one of his few off days. McLeod paid his way all right, but showed a lack of experience, which, however, is a fault that will mend. Forward, Smith was the pick, his forceful and neat work in the first half being particularly fine. Rankin was good and bad in turn, while Miller, although he distributed the play well, was overshadowed by McLaren, and shot well at times. Grant was seldom in his proper place, and, although he put in a hard afternoon's work, much of his efforts were wasted. Moir was worth his place, his shooting and crossing being a pleasing feature.

THE GAME.

The Rovers goal was the first visited, and Britton had to clear in quick succession from Grant and Miller, the centre having a great drive palmed down. Bruce pulled up the Rovers' left wing on several occasions when they looked dangerous, but he was inclined to adopt the offside game when there was little occasion for it. Rankin infused thrill into the game when he grazed the bar with a neat header off a corner kick. A weak header by Bruce resulted in the downfall of the Aberdeen citadel. Fleming fastened on the ball and beat Blackwell all ends up with a hard drive which travelled away from the keeper all the time. A period of pressure by the homesters followed, but Goalkeeper Britton, backed by dour defenders gave nothing away. First Miller and then Moir nearly got the equaliser, but it was not to be, and at the other end Christie was clean through when Blackwell, rushing out, managed to punt clear. Just on half-time the visitors went further ahead. Walls took free a kick from near the penalty line, and Forsyth, trying to stop the ball, deceived Blackwell with the result that both missed it. Half-time - Aberdeen, 0; Albion Rovers, 2.

WEAK FINISHING.

The first sensation of the second half came when Smith broke away, and Britton was hurt in throwing himself at the ball. He saved a certain goal, however, and, although obviously in pain, he came to his side's rescue a few times during the remainder of the game. Miller missed two good chances of reducing the lee-way by shooting wildly over, and it was left to Christie, the visiting centre, to give the crowd a couple of thrills when he almost beat Blackwell with two snap shots. The Rovers defence played desperately, and the close passing game of the homesters allowed them to concentrate their forces, with the result that Britton was seldom troubled. "Vic" Milne had a try himself, but again Britton was on the alert and brought off a clever save. Just on time Smith converted a cross from Moir, heading past Britton into the corner of the net, although the keeper almost fisted clear.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 4th April 1923