McIntosh 87
Match Information
Attendance: 14,000
Referee: J Bell (Dundee)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Various circumstances served to invest the meeting between the League leaders with more than ordinary interest. The position of the teams at the top of the table combined with the fact that Rangers were the only team which had never been defeated in the ‘Granite City,’ pointed to a struggle of the keenest order. Expectations were certainly fully realised. From start to finish it was a ding-dong battle, teaming with many thrilling incidents, and marked by a dramatic finish. The honours went to the superior eleven, and Aberdeen would have been the unluckiest of teams if victory had been denied them. Yet it was within two minutes of the close that the winning goal was scored – a goal which never was harder worked for or more thoroughly deserved. On not a few occasions this season Aberdeen have demonstrated their ability to fight to the bitter end, and the goal secured by McIntosh on Saturday, was but one more proof of the value of pluck and determination. When Rangers were fortunate to start with a strong breeze behind them their chances seemed rosy, but despite the advantage the wind afforded the ‘Light Blues’ never held the upper hand during the first half. Though play was fairly evenly divided, Aberdeen showed better method and judgment than their opponents. Having performed so creditably against the wind, it was only natural to expect that Aberdeen would become even more conspicuous in the second half. Not many minutes elapsed before it was evident that Rangers were in for a gruelling time. Some idea of the part which the Ibrox forwards played in this portion may be gleaned from the circumstance that King only touched the ball. The Rangers halves and backs had a hot time keeping the Pittodrie forwards in check; corner succeeded corner; and from every conceivable position shots were tried, but luck and Lock were against them. Play waged almost continually in the one half of the field. Aberdeen never relaxed pressure for a moment, and from a corner by Lennie McIntosh headed past Lock. The scene of enthusiasm which followed was a memorable one. Never was an important game on the northern enclosure marked by such a dramatic finish. Aberdeen deserves all credit for their performance. They were full value for a win. What struck one most about the team’s display was the excellent understanding which prevailed between the different divisions. The forwards showed excellent combination, and the support extended to them by the halves was invaluable. For cleverness and trickery Lennie was outstanding. Time and again the left-winger gave Law and Gordon the slip. For sound forcing play, however, none were more serviceable than McIntosh, and Travers. The former kept the opposing defence continually on tenterhooks, and his feeding of the other forwards was all that could be desired. Murray and Soye were seen to most advantage in the second half. At half-back Aberdeen were exceptionally strong, the tackling of the trio being no less clever than their feeding of the forwards. Of a splendid pair of backs, Coleman stood out prominently. His display was well-nigh perfect and he was the outstanding player on the field. King had an easy afternoon, but two clearances he effected in the first half were very clever. Though taking into account the all round effectiveness of their opponents, the Rangers disappointed. Their attack was ragged and disjoined, and their defence was unreliable. Smith and Bennett were the pick of the forwards, but danger seldom threatened from that quarter. Reid was so well watched by Wylie and Coleman that he was rarely in evidence, and the same remark applies to Hogg and Yuille. The halves, while starting promisingly fell away as the game progressed, and their weakness had much to do with the ineffectiveness of the forwards. Law and Campbell were often easily beaten, and against the wind their continual skying of the ball stood out in marked contrast to the judicious kicking of Coleman and Hume. Lock was brilliant. Some of his saves were as clever as they were daring
