Simpson pen
McPherson <45
Simpson >45
Devine
Match Information
Attendance: 11,000
Referee: R.J. Kelso (Hamilton)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
To the unpalatable truths that were spoken of them a week before the Falkirk team on Saturday gave a most emphatic answer by playing a game which they have seldom bettered in this the greatest season so far of the club’s career. Twelve thousand spectators saw a contest which one imagined would have been impossible on such a playing pitch. Not only was it in a state to handicap the players, but it was dangerous, and the wonder is that such a stirring and thrilling encounter should be witnessed. In the heat of the great game the dangerous of the ground were forgotten, and players were seen allowing themselves as much latitude as if they had been operating on a velvety sward. There were many hard knocks, players slid for yards through pools of water which covered sheets of ice, and yet with it all there was very little show of temper. The sentiment of the season was well observed, and if that stalwart Rangers’ half-back, James Galt, did come under the ban of the Referee on one occasion near the close, it must be admitted the offence was comparatively trifling, and was only exaggerated by the uncalled-for barracking which the player received from the crowd. It was a day when the tall men suffered most from the conditions. When the teams last met it was in a semi-final Scottish Cup tie. On that occasion McPherson snapped a goal for the Rangers which decided the match. On Saturday the same player again got the Rangers’ goal, and it seemed at theta time as if the Glasgow team would take control of the game. But the Falkirk defence stood up manfully to the period of pressure, and when it had eased off, and the game was resumed after the interval, the Brockville eleven dominated the struggle, and thoroughly deserved their victory. The run of the play is represented in the score, which neither detracts from nor exaggerates Falkirk’s victory. While the Brockville side generally has been receiving much praise in the past weeks, the centre forward, Logan, has occasionally been harshly – too harshly criticised. But it was this strong, fair-haired Barrhead youth, along with Devine, who had most of the first half attacks on Lock’s charge, for the others did not seem to care to risk much to begin with. McTavish could not settle, Simpson was neglected and Davidson was so timid that passes were simply wasted upon him. With Law and McKenzie fluking every second kick practically the inroads were bound to be successful on some occasion. And thus it came about that after Lock had run out to clear, Devine an elusive Fifer – in a football sense of course – sent the ball netwards before the goalkeeper could return. McKenzie was standing below the bar, and he stopped the ball with his hands. Simpson took the penalty kick, and the scoring was opened. In these preliminary exchanges there was one player who stood out above the others on the Rangers’ side, and he John May. In defence and attack he was ever evident. When the backs were beaten he went to the rescue; if the forwards wanted a lead he gave it them. It was from one of his leading-out movements that Hogg got off. The burly Wearside forward sent over a lovely centre, but McPherson missed it. Hogg again gave Gilchrist a great chance to equalise, but the latter failed miserably. It was the Rangers’ turn of pressure now. While Hunter was keeping Taylor and Miller on tenterhooks McPherson got in a fine shot which Stewart tipped over the bar, but the Beith player latterly got the deserved equaliser, after he had very neatly beaten Taylor close in. the Light Blues had the best of it for a time after, but they could not pierce the strong Falkirk defence. Latterly the pressure was relieved; and the game was evenly and keenly contested until the interval. Rangers got timely warning of their opponent’s intentions after the resumption. It seemed as if McTavish and Simpson had laid their plan of campaign while in the pavilion. Off they scampered right from the kick-off, and the inside player was only beaten by the slippery ground when he was clean through. There was more unison in the Falkirk attack now, and the half backs kept plying them with the ball. Logan shot with terrific force and Lock saved, but the ball was claimed to have been through. Simpson then missed with only the Ibrox goalkeeper to beat, but atoned for it a little later, when from a pass from Davidson he found the net with a lightning shot. There was no holding the ground team now, and when Devine with the best goal of the match, put his side two ahead, that match was lost and won. And the Rangers apparently realised it, for they played out time in half-hearted fashion. Where they failed chiefly was at back. It was a bad day for Law to make his reappearance, and he received no assistance from McKenzie, who had more than he could conveniently attend to on his own side of the field. In comparison Taylor and Miller were a long wat ahead. Again the local bred lad was nest. He was one of the few whom the slippery ground did not seem to trouble much, and he timed his kicking beautifully. Amongst the six half backs no one was more prominent than May, who did not spare himself. On one occasion he got a nasty fall, but was up and after his man in a twinkling. The star of the intermediates, however, was Steve McDonald. His control of the ball under the circumstances was simply splendid, and he more than any other played the game to suit the conditions. His passes were fast and low, and seldom travelled from the course intended. McDonald is an artist. Anderson was ever in the tick of the fight spoiling and bustling, and McMillan has never done better. The Rothesay youth has come on a lot since finding a place in the League team. Gordon and Galt were fairly good, the former, however, failing to last. The laurels forward must go to Devine, who was the finest forward playing. There were times in the second half when the Simpson-McTavish wing scintillated brilliantly, but for consistency from start to finish, and clever work on the ball Devine had it. The right wing pair in the second half were irresistible, and one would not have thought Simpson had been nursing a cold in bed all week. Logan, already referred to put in a great afternoon’s work, but Davidson was only moderate. There is not much to be said in a complimentary sense for the Rangers’ forwards. Hogg was best in what he got to do, but he ought to have got more. Gilchrist was a weak support, and of the inside two McPherson was best. Hunter was not too well played to, and Alex Smith was never really in the game. There was some good goalkeeping, Lock having more to do than Stewart, and doing it well. He could not be blamed for losing any of the goals
