Aberdeen 3 - 1 Arbroath

Added interest was lent to the meeting of Arbroath and Aberdeen's second string at Pittodrie in view of the bracketing of the GayfieId team with Kilmarnock and Aberdeen in the first and second rounds of the Cup competition. Judging by the performance of the visitors, they will have to rely very much on ground advantage in their tie with Kilmarnock. It was a poor game, and the Aberdeen Reserves just deserved the points. The 3?1 win of the home side was by no means an accurate outcome of the play. Arbroath have often given a better display at Pittodrie, and although plucky triers and masters of the short-passing game, a lack of cohesion among them made their forwards easy prey to the stout home defence. Hannah and Lees were outstanding in Aberdeen's rear department, the centre-half playing a particularly fine game. All three of the Pittodrie men's goals were smartly taken. Mackie, the new centre-forward, had the first and last points, his second goal being from a lovely first-time drive from 30 yards out. The third goal was one of the best seen by a Pittodrie crowd this season. Macdonald gathered the ball at the other end of the field, and after a sparkling run sent out to Yule on the right. The winger returned is almost from the corner flag; Mackie just missed it, but Macdonald was into position and headed through. The visitors only goal was taken by Joe Walker, who was often in evidence but seldom really dangerous.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 10th January 1921