Aberdeen 5 - 0 Hamilton

At Aberdeen. Aberdeen were much the superior team throughout, and fully deserved their big victory. They showed the better conception and the Academicals were weak both in defence and attack. Aberdeen had the wind in their favour in the first half, and Main having scored from the initial breakaway, the issue was never really in doubt. Main quickly added a second goal, and before half-time, Walker and Travers each found the net, and Aberdeen led at the interval by 4-0. Even with the gale behind them, Hamilton made little headway in the second period, and their attacks were half-hearted. Before the close, Scorgie put on a fifth goal for the home team, who were the easiest of winners. Result:- Aberdeen, 5 goals; Hamilton Academicals, nothing.

Source: The Scotsman, 26th January 1914

A long time has elapsed since the supporters of the Aberdeen Club had the pleasure of seeing the team secure such a harvest of goals as fell to their lot on Saturday, when Hamilton Academicals were beaten at Pittodrie by 5 goals to 0. There was no denying the superiority of the Aberdeen team throughout, and the result is the more astonishing when it is recalled that at Hamilton earlier in the season the Academicals defeated Aberdeen by 3 goals without reply. In striking contrast to the visitors on Saturday, Aberdeen appeared able to do little wrong, while Hamilton, on the other hand, could do nothing right. They were aside at all and numbers throughout, and provided the poorest opposition of any seen at Pittodrie this season. As the sides met they were equally placed in the league race, and the result goes further to show the falsity of a Aberdeen's position. The team has played many a better game this season with less encouraging result, but, in football language, their luck was in, and the issue was a clear victory of superiority over inferiority. Although the weakness of the left wing cannot be overlooked, the side gave a good all-round display, and were superior to the opposition in all departments.

FOOTBALL AND WIND

A fierce gale of wind prevailed throughout the game, and although, if anything, they favour the side playing two wards the east end, it was of a cross nature which has often put the teams at an equal disadvantage. In the first half Aberdeen had the good fortune to have is questionable assistance, and having obtained a goal immediately on the kick-off, they set up such a series of raids and rushes as practically in ran the opposition off their feet, so that when the turn of the wind came in the second half, they had to face such a lead of goals in a tired condition that from the first the case was hopeless. Undoubtedly the wind was an important factor in bringing about the ultimate result, but the sensational first goal seemed to knock the heart out of them, as never had any subsequent period of the game did they play with anything approaching the confidence of their conquerors.

FAST SCORING

The 7000 spectators present at the start were destined to see a sensational first half. Soye broke away from the start, and putting across a well placed centre, Main counted, the ball glancing off the upright into the net. This startling piece of play was followed by a brief period of attacking on the part of the Academicals, Hannah checking Bain after Wyllie and Colman had been beaten. This proved to be but a flash in that and on the part of the losers, as from then until the interval, Aberdeen confined them to the defensive. Nor were goals scarce. Main after brilliant work by Soye, walker, and himself, shot high over from a splendid position, but he soon made amends, Soye cut in and then gave the Aberdeen centre a judicious pass for him to neatly beat Watson second time. Following upon this, the Academicals' goal ran many in narrow escapes. Soye netted in clever style, but his goal was struck off for Main making a foul on the goalkeeper. Walker and Soye both shot wide after this, while Travers slipped when a goal seemed imminent. Two brilliant balls from Soye rolled harmlessly across the visitors' goal, the inside forwards just failing to reach them. Another goal quickly followed to Aberdeen. Walker executed a brilliant dribble and then very 'cutely place the ball where the goalkeeper had no chance to save. Repeated corner kicks fell to Aberdeen, but the monotony of their attack was broken when, after a clever run by Heppenstall and Anderson, the first-named shot wide. Main had a brilliant effort for Aberdeen from long range, but Watson saved. McNeil revived Hamilton's hopes by securing a corner, but Greig was not tested. The only occasion in the period in which the Aberdeen custodian had a handle was when Bain burst through, and Greig rushed out and kicked clear. A fourth goal fell to Aberdeen, travers, lying well in the centre, slipping the ball neatly passed Watson after some clever play. Just before the interval Eglinton, the Academicals' left half-back, was hurt, and had to retire, and during his absence been missed a clear chance by shooting over, from a fine cross by McNeil.

ABERDEEN STILL SUPERIOR

Even with the wind the Academicals failed to rise to the occasion in the second half, and, allowing that the gale was not so strong towards the end, they made a poor fight. Eglinton soon returned, and in the first 15 minutes they promised to make a fight of it. In the period they often attacked, but, while their outfield movements were quick, they were crude and their finishing was execrable. Greig had nevertheless several dangerous situations to deal with, but he fielded and fisted brilliantly, and well covered by stout defenders, his lot was much easier band that of the opposition goalkeeper in the first half. Scorgie cost Watson to fist clear, and then a brilliant centre by Soye was headed to the keeper's hands by Main. These incidents heralded a period in which Aberdeen, even against the wind, proved but little less superior to what they had been in the first half. Watson had many difficult bowls to deal with. Walker sent in a grade ground drive from 30 yards' range, and this Watson saved, to fist away with Wyllie in attendance of a moment later. Aberdeen swarmed round the visitors goal, and Main shot high as did Walker. The Academicals essayed a breakaway, and Greig cleared finely from Anderson, while McNeil and Kelly both muddled when well placed. Following upon a centre by Soye, which Main just failed to reach, Scorgie registered a fifth goal for Aberdeen, and in the closing stages they were like to increase their total. As it was Aberdeen were the easiest of winners.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 26th January 1914