Peacock
Unknown (8)
Match Information
Manager: No Permanent Manager
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: unknown - to be confirmed
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The handsome new ground of the Rangers at Ibrox was opened on Saturday when the wearers of the light blue tackled the famed Preston North End. The weather being favourable, and the fact of it being the first contest on Ibrox Park, the attendance of spectators was enormous, certainly not less than 13,000; and it is expected that the proceeds of the gate will amount to between £400 and £450 – a fine set off to the Rangers in their new home, and a good indication of their popularity as one of the leading clubs of the country. Among the spectators were several of the Magistrates and Commissioners of Govan and Provost Ferguson, in the way of welcome to the club placed the ball in the centre of the field as a signal to commence hostilities. A, few minutes before the start a photograph of the pavilion and the occupants was taken by Mr George Bell, Argyle Street. As the game proceeded the strangers showed superiority all round, and defeated their powerful opponents by eight goals to one. It cannot of course be expected that football can be played on a warm summer afternoon with the same amount of ability as in its legitimate season of winter, and while every one knows the Preston men have been keeping up their training, the Glasgow club have suffered a bit in that direction is consequence of the loss of their old ground. The Rangers lost the toss, but as there was little wind, not much advantage was gained in this respect by the strangers. After some smart play in midfield the North End worked their way down on the Rangers lines and a good bit of play by Goodall and Ross jun, ended in a goal. The ball had no sooner been kicked off a second time than it was taken possession of in a neat combined run by the Preston North End forwards, and goaled very smartly. Two goals in a few minutes for the visitors came as a surprise to most of the spectators, and some relief was experienced by the Rangers friends when the forwards of that club came close up on the Englishmen’s goal. Grand back play, however soon sent the leather away, and it was soon in front of the Glasgow teams stronghold, where Chalmers had to throw out. Some even play followed and the Rangers lost a good chance to score. The Preston North End lost no time in manovering the ball clear, and after a brilliant run by Drummond a third goal was scored for them, and not very long after a fourth, resulted from a long shot by Dewhurst. The teams then faced up once more in the centre, and the Rangers made a determined attack on the Preston goal, and several times caused the goalkeeper to chuck away the ball for safety, but they lost another good chance with feeble following up. Before halftime was called the North End made another goal out of a scrimmage, so that when ends were changed the Englishmen were five goals ahead. The home team made a spirited attack on the Englishmen’s goal early in the second round, and a free kick for a foul came very close, but indifferent passing in front lost another good chance to score. The Rangers however kept up the attack, and showed some exciting lay on front, but could not force the ball past Traynor who kept goal well. Some good exchanges were made by the backs and halfbacks on each side, but as the Preston forwards were faster on the ball than their opponents, a rush was soon made for the Rangers lines, and after some clever passing a good shot by Ross was successful, in lowering the Rangers colours for the sixth time. A few minutes after restarting the Rangers came away with a determined rush, and Cameron made a neat goal for them out of an exciting scrimmage; but the strangers were by no means done with their scoring and before time was up put on another two goals. When the eighth was scored it was only a few minutes to the call of time, but in consequence of the spectators crowding in on the touchlines it was deemed advisable to stop, and the match therefore, ended in favour of the Preston North End by eight goals to one. During the match the Fairfield Brass Band and the Govan Police Band played selections of popular music
