J McPherson 43, <45
Match Information
Manager: No Permanent Manager
Attendance: 17,000
Referee: John Marshall (Th Lanark)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The first really interesting event of the season took place on Ibrox Park, when the Queen’s Park and the Rangers met to decide their tie in the first round of the Glasgow Cup competition. The weather was delightfully fine, a gentle breeze tempering the closeness of the atmosphere, and the attendance was exceedingly large fully 17,000 person being present. At the last moment W Sellar, the president of the Queen’s Park consented to play for his team, as J.A. Lambie left for London the previous night. There were no changes in the Rangers teams as selected by the committee. The Rangers were the first to appear, and were well received, but a heartier demonstration met the Queen’s Park, who followed shortly afterwards. The Rangers won the toss, and the Queen’s Park kicked off against the breeze. The ball had no sooner been kicked off than Haddow was called upon to save, which he did easily, as he had plenty of time. Gillespie, Sellar and Lambie were putting in effective work for the Queen’s, and form a shy-in near goal the Rangers charge had a narrow escape. Against the wind the Queen’s so far, were exhibiting very good form, indeed – much better than had been anticipated – and their play was enthusiastically cheered by their partisans. The play was of a go-ahead bustling description, and was keenly relished by the spectators, who did not fail to appreciate the many keen tussles that were going on. The Rangers, apparently early realising the fact that they would have to play hard to win, never lost the slightest opportunity in shooting for goal: but Baird looked cool and collected – at anyrate he dealt promptly with the shots that were sent in. The Rangers forwards played their very hardest to score – they would have to play against the wind in the second half – but the defence of Sinclair and Smith stood the test immensely well until a few minutes before the call of halftime, and in the midst of a tussle in front of the Queen’s goal McPherson rushed in a cleverly, although unexpectedly headed the ball through scoring the first goal of the match for the Rangers. From a long return by Drummond the Queen’s had to concede a scorner kick, from which McPherson very cleverly secure the second goal, making the game now practically secure, some people at anyrate thought, for the Rangers. The Queen’s struggled on manfully, but two goals were a heavy handicap in a game where the teams were so equally matched, and the result unless something very unexpected happened, was not in doubt thus early. The Queen’s were unlucky after the brilliant way they started; there could be no doubt about the fact. To make up two goals in the second half was really too much to expect, indeed the Queen’s by the merest accident saved their goal from further downfall. At halftime the score stood – Rangers 2 goals: Queen’s Park 0 goals. With the wind in their favour in the second half the Queen’s were expected to keep down the score against them, and if possible to score themselves. The opening stages however did not give very much promise of their being able to improve their position, for the Rangers played with a coolness and precision characteristic of a winning team. To add to the misfortune of the Queen’s W. Lambie received a nasty injure from one of the Rangers, and for a time he was rendered useless. The Rangers were continually on the aggressive and had it not been for the stubborn defence of Sinclair and Smith and the cleverness of Baird, they would have added to their score. Lambie had perforce to leave the field, and the Queen’s although they straggled along very well in their crippled condition, were really no match for the Rangers. At times however they rallied, and from one very exciting bit of play the ball was nearly through the Rangers goal. Two corners in succession followed for the Queen’s but nothing resulted, and Gillespie trying to score with a fast shot sent the ball past. W. Lambie returned to the field, but as he was still lame he was practically useless. The Queen’s play improved vastly as the game went on, and from some centres by Sellar, and a little more steadiness in front of goal, the chances were that they might have scored. But as it was they did very well indeed in keeping the Rangers at bay. Taken all over however the game deteriorated and was of a scrambling purposeless nature. Result – Rangers 2 goals: Queen’s Park 0 goals.
