Parker
Hogg +3<45
Match Information
Attendance: 14,000
Referee: G.W. Hamilton (Motherwell)
Matchday: Monday
Match Trivia
After making a splendid opening in their game at Ibrox yesterday the Kilmarnock team fell off badly, and at the finish were a soundly beaten side. The Ayrshire team had no luck. When Andrew Cunningham struck the post with a fast volley two minutes after the kick-off, Lock was completely beaten. Had they scored at that time it might have changed the fortunes of the game. For half-an-hour after that the Rugby Park players did their fair share of attacking. But when Blair practically gifted Parker with a goal, and of top of that came another which might easily have been averted had there been a better understanding between Mitchell and his goalkeeper, the heart seemed to leave the visiting side. It was a splendid contest in the opening thirty minutes. The Kilmarnock forwards moved freely and showed considerable skill, but apart from Cunningham’s magnificent effort were not ready enough to take advantage of scoring opportunities. They were well supported by the half-backs during that time. The Rangers’ attack was not quite satisfactory during that period. Parker was energetic enough, but failed to get the ball quickly enough under control when in position to shoot. Bennett, Bowie and Logan at different times, opened up the play nicely, but it was not until the Kilmarnock defence had blundered that the scoring was opened. Hogg was the prime mover in the getting of the point. Profiting by a previous error of judgment when he shot over from an acute angle at a time when to centre the ball was the play, he this time crossed in front of goal. Blair ought to have got the ball first time, and afterwards failed to hold it while lying on the ground. Parker then had no difficulty in scoring. The second gaol, which followed shortly afterwards, was taken by Hogg. The ball was lobbed in from the left by Goodwin, and while Blair ought to have come out to clear, Mitchell was badly at fault in allowing the Ibrox right winger to get in. Bowie completed the scoring mid-way through the second half with a well-placed header from a corner taken by his partner. The Kilmarnock forwards were somewhat disorganised owing to Buchan going lame. Cunningham had to fall into half-back line, and with the best man out of the attack it lost much of its effectiveness. Still, further scoring opportunities came their way, and to their weakness at goal added to the mistakes in defence, which led to two of the Rangers’ goals, must they attribute the severity of their defeat. Much interest was taken in the debut of James Logan, of Aston Villa, and I agree with those who consider it was a successful one. There was no hiding the fact that he was short of training, for he was a bit slow in recovery. In close tackling, however, he was excellent, and he parted with the ball judiciously. I liked the way he slipped the ball low up the centre; they are the sort of passes which Reid delights in. Then Gordon was tried at full-back – an interesting experiment indeed. The International half-back came out of the game with flying colours. He tackled soundly, and kicked a fine length. Robertson also did well, and the Kilmarnock pair stood up to their work gamely, young Cunningham giving a pleasing display. Galt and Hendry were quite useful half-backs, although the former found Cunningham and Templeton somewhat elusive. Buchan was the best of the Kilmarnock trio and Shortt also played a serviceable game. It took the Rangers’ forwards a long time to strike their game; indeed they never moved with the unison which we have been accustomed to expect of them. Parker was only a moderate success, and it was late in the game ere Hogg was seen to advantage, notwithstanding excellent support from Bowie, who was the best of the line. Bennett was clever at times, but continues to play too closely. Goodwin got across a number of nice centres. But the best forward on the field, in my opinion, was Andrew Cunningham. The inside left, I was told, played his best game of the season, and I could believe it. His control of the ball was excellent, and if he had occasionally transferred play to the other side of the field – a leaf which he might with profit take out of Bowie’s book – his display would have been perfect. He a different Cunningham altogether from the player I saw at Stark’s Park on Saturday. Templeton did well in the first half, as indeed did all the Kilmarnock forwards in the early stages, with the exception of Kirsop, who never struck a good game. Logan was more active than usual, and Culley kept the wings well supplied. When Cunningham fell back into Buchan’s line the line lost its leader and controller.
