W Reid 30
Hogg
W Reid >45, xx
Goodwin
Match Information
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: G Hamilton (Motherwell)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
From the magnitude of the Rangers victory at Paisley, it might be imagine that St Mirren suffered an almost total eclipse. But such was not the case. There is not the least shadow of doubt that the ‘Light Blues’, in the end proved themselves the better side, but for almost forty minutes it took them all they know to keep their end up. Indeed, against as wobbly a pair of backs as has ever represented the champions, the wonder is that the Paisley club did not score a couple of goals before Reid brought about that transformation which ultimately enabled the Rangers to run out the easiest of winners from a game that looked at one time as if it would be decided by the barest possible margin. Well might the St Mirren directors exclaim – “oh, for five minutes of Willie Reid,” for had the centre forward been reversed, and the Ibrox sharpshooters given the chances presented the less experienced Jamieson St Mirren would probably have worthily seconded the efforts of their compatriots in the lower ward of the ‘Shire to give the competition a more open complexion. Reis’s initial goal was the result of a truly great single-handed effort although one is still inclined to wonder how in these days of clear at any cost, he was allowed to travel from a spot half a dozen yards on his own side of the centre line, before eluding Hillcoat. Later the other side were not so scrupulously considerate in their dealings with an opponent, who had a clear run in on Lock’s charge. This goal of Reid’s was poor recompense for all Paisley’s previous good and plucky play, but worse was to follow. Within the minute Billy Hogg got across one of his special oblique drives, which besides giving the Rangers a second goal, practically lost St Mirren a goalkeeper. Young Hillcoat palmed or cleared in a way many shots after this, and occasionally fielded, but was never again himself after the big Englishman’s shot, which evidently had the effect of sending his wits a woolgathering. Jamieson’s smartly taken goal four minutes from the interval – all three points were scored within as many minutes – revived somewhat the drooping spirits of the disgusted and disconsolate Paisley folks; but the closing half had scarcely been embarked on when their ‘peckers’ again fell to zero. Reid’s short range shot, which really settled the issue of the match, was quite a commendable effort; still it should have been saved. Nine minutes later Goodwin nicked a fourth; and as many minutes from the close, Reid – coming along full steam ahead – rattled the back of the net from a perfect cross by Hogg. Apart from the goal scoring aspect, the Rangers have often done much better; indeed until the centre forward succeeded in breaking the ice they probably not been seen to less advantage this season. Notable exceptions, however were Reid and Hogg, who both played splendidly throughout. The latter’s ‘hat trick’ was merely a feature in a magnificent afternoon’s work; while Hogg Cinquevalli-like touches at times mystified McDonald and White almost as completely as his lightening-like rushes terrorised them. Bowie, like Goodwin – the Ayrshire player showed many artistic touches – gave of their best after the interval, but the game had almost runs its course before Alex Smith figured in the limelight, as is his wont. With his coming though, and the few fine balls he got across the Ibrox attack for the first time got into that commanding and forceful string which has so often proved irresistible. In the St Mirren attack, which given better support from the middle line, will yet do better, Kyle was the star, even if Husband played very pretty football. The latter was rather roughly handled on occasion – once it took a few minutes’ treatment to bring him round – yet he subsequently exhibited a pluck he has not previously been credited with. Callaghan seemed slower than when at Firhill, while his general play was not up to last year’s standard, which of course is scarcely sur prising. Williamson and Jamieson both did well, except in finishing. The line is worth persevering with. Duff tapered off a bit towards the close, still he was easily the pick of the Paisley intermediate players. McDonald was too lackadaisical. At any rate, he did not put anything approaching the verve or vim into his game that Galt – the most useful half afield – and Waddell did. Paton hung too long on the ball, and was prone to wander. Law improved in the second portion, even if his rather forcible tackling brought down the wrath of the crowd on his head; still, neither his display nor that of Campbell was convincing. White, if occasionally inclined to go far forward, stuck well into Hogg, and with a fair measure of success, but none of the backs on the day were of the same class as Reid, who besides playing a fine game showed admirable restraint throughout. Lock, daring as ever, brought off several clever saves.
