Hogg 46
W Reid 56
Match Information
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: J Bell (Dundee)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The League leaders have reason to congratulate themselves that their visit to Fir Park yielded them two points, and that their onward and upward progress remains still unchecked. It might have been otherwise without injustice being done them. True, their initial attack upon the Motherwell goal was delivered with scientific precision well calculated to deserve success, but even the Rangers have not such a consummation at their command. Ability to sustain such superb form as the ‘Light Blues’ displayed in the first quarter of an hour of the game would leave no room for doubt as to the Rangers’ right to the premier position in Scottish Football; but the dazzling brilliance of the flash faded, and the game settled down to an encounter on even terms. If Hampton was tested and tested severely by Hogg and Reid in particular, so too was Lock by Robertson and Gilchrist. The Motherwell keeper’s judgment may have erred slightly in permitting Hogg’s easy cross to leisurely roost in the net, but Locks’ display from first to last was a faultless one. His confidence and daring frequently saved the situation when it looked almost hopeless. He had good assistance from Campbell, but Richmond did not prove such an able defender. So hard was the pressure put on by the Fir Park men that it must have been a relief to the Rangers to know they had successfully withstood it till the interval. Very early in the second half, Hogg’s elusive effort brought the success which had been denied the Rangers in the first half. When, sometime later, Reid with the assistance of Hogg, brought about the second downfall of Hampton’s charge, there was perceptible slackening of the hot pace on the part of the Rangers, but a redoubling of effort by the groundsmen who clamoured for a count from a ball which hit the underside of the cross-bar, and which the Motherwell men claimed, had come to the ground within the goal-line. The referee consulted the linesman, and the benefit of the doubt was given to the defenders. It was from the Rangers’ right wing that most danger came to Motherwell. The left was singularly ineffective. This was in large measure due to the premature inclusion of Bennett in the team. He was physically unfit, and quite broke down at the close, and had to be driven away in a cab. It was also to a large extent brought about by the magnificent defence set up by McStay and Wilson, the latter especially displaying judgment and ability which Alex Smith, indifferently supported, could not master. The Rangers’ intermediate line was really the strongest part of the team, but was very little ahead of the Motherwell trio. McNeil’s special mission seemed to be to shepherd his old club mate, Willie Reid, and in this he did not fail. The strength of Motherwell’s attack above that of the Ibrox men, lay on the right wing, where Nicol and Gilchrist operated with embarrassing persistence. It was from Nicol’s right foot that Motherwell scored their long overdue goal. Lock being powerless to stop the ball’s fast flight into the net. Gray was the most artistic player in the Motherwell team, if not on the field. Robertson was also very serviceable - a trifle more eager than effective. The game, which never lagged interest, was fast throughout and of excellent quality. It was witnessed by 15,000 spectators, and yielded £400 - £10 more than the previous record for Fir Park
