A Kyle
RC Hamilton
Wilson
Clements
Match Information
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: J Muir (Motherwell)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Without such sterling players as Jackson, McAvoy and Anderson, St Mirren did extremely well in extracting a point from the Ibrox game. Kyle, who smartly opened the scoring ten minutes after the start, gave a delightful exhibition of pretty footwork, the while he kept Smith liberally supplied with the ball. But although he had several other praiseworthy attempts to get the better of Grant, like Livingstone, he invariably made the mistake when well placed in the Saints’ territory of passing out instead of making the play converge towards the centre. On the other hand the Paisley forwards although none too well supported – neither Robertson nor Crossan excelled as placers – were always dangerous when they got on the move. From a clever centre by Cunningham, and an adroit movement by Paton, Wilson ten minutes from the interval made amends for a previous blunder by levelling the score. At the start of the second half it looked as if the Saints were in for a big drubbing so persistently did the Rangers press. Thanks to Paton’s heady leading they did not lose an attacking interest in the game, and after fifteen minutes, to the consternation of the ‘Light Blues,’ Clements pit Paisley on the lead. This advantage they retained for eight minutes, when Hamilton from a scrimmage finished the scoring. In the four games previously drawn by the Saints this season their opponents had all the luck, but on this occasion the order was reversed with a vengeance. Even with the Rangers refusing to take advantage of their chances, the St Mirren defenders are due special praise for their plucky display. Gordon never did better (he was the best a field), while White, eager to a degree made an efficient substitute for Jackson. The Rangers pair Campbell and Hendry, if not kept so constantly working had to be ever on the alert to checkmate Paton’s bewildering movements. Campbell filled the position as well as ever he did. Hendry kicked splendidly while his tackling showed improvement. At half the Rangers were superior all three doing splendidly, with May and Gordon racing for chief honours. Key was the pick of the Paisley halves, and excelled in placing. Robertson and Crossan however put in a power of defensive work. If knocked about a bit, Paton managed to brighten the game by characteristic flashes of individual play. Hamilton too played well, but never got the opportunity to dash through the defence he was obviously waiting for. Anderson’s absence weakened the Saints considerably. The left wing however was the stronger, Cunningham filling the position with credit. Wilson made an indifferent substitute for Cunningham, while Clements lost a grand opportunity of making a name for himself by sheer timidity. Milne was as clever and eager as usual
