Main 15
W Reid
W Reid >45
Match Information
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: R.J. Kelso (Hamilton)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
That Rangers were quite value for their victory over Aberdeen few of the 20,000 spectators who witness the game at Pittodrie could not admit, for collectively the Ibrox eleven were the superior lot. Still Aberdeen were in a measure unfortunate and scarcely deserved to be beaten by a couple of goals. Although the ‘Light Blues’ played a more scientific and clever game than their opponents, the margin between the teams was narrow; indeed there were times and, particularly during the last twenty minute, when the Northern men were masters of the situation. Where the essential difference lay was in the adaptability of the Rangers’ forwards at close quarters. They proved themselves opportunists, and therein lay the secret of their success. On the run of play Aberdeen had quite as big as say in the game as their opponents, but with fully more opportunities of scoring the weakness of the Pittodrie forwards in finishing stood out in marked contrast to the readiness with which Reid and his colleagues turned to account favourable openings. Aberdeen’s misfortunes began early, for scarcely had the game been three minutes in progress when Hume and Wilson, in attempting to head the ball, collided, necessitating the retrial of both players. While Wilson’s injury was a trivial one, and did not prevent him from resuming a few minutes later, Hume was badly hurt. With bandaged head he returned after half an hour’s absence, but while he was to be commended for his pluck, he would have been well advised if he had remained in the pavilion. He was only able to remain of the field for a short spell, and for a second time Aberdeen’s plan of campaign had to be changed when he retired for good. The sturdy left back’s absence put the home team out of gear. McConnell oftener than not was obliged to take up the role of back, with the result that he was not able to give the forwards the necessary support. Various experiments were made with a view to improving matters, but the handicap attributable to Hume’s absence was always apparent. Few keener or more interesting games have been witness at Pittodrie this season. From start to finish it teemed with exciting episodes, and on both sides football of a high order was shown. Every inch of ground was stubbornly contested, and if three of the goals scored were of the lucky all at least were worked for. A quarter of an hour had gone when Main opened Aberdeen’s account, but the Northern team did not long enjoy their lead for in less than ten minutes Reid, with one of his characteristic efforts, in the honour of which Bennett shared, had levelled up matters. It was followed soon afterwards by a gift goal secured by Brown, but for which Hogg and the Aberdeen defence were responsible, the former by reason of an accurate cross and he latter by their failure to check the progress of the ball in its course across the goalmouth. The point was something of a staggered to the crowd, but the disappointment attending it was nothing compared with that which greeted the third, the outcome of a bad mistake by King in dealing with a common shot from Reid, the custodian allowing the ball to go over his shoulder after he had apparently saved with ease. The real tit-bit of the game was the brilliant rally made by Aberdeen during the last quarter of an hour. They had the Rangers’ defence practically played to a standstill, but lick and Lock constituted the stumbling block. So persistent was the attack and so non-pulsed were the Ibrox backs and Halves, that had Aberdeen got on level terms they would only have got their due reward. Times galore the ball hovered about the goalmouth, bobbing from head to head, rebounding off the cross-bar, and corner succeeding corner, but Aberdeen’s luck was out. On their display during that quarter of an hour alone, Aberdeen were deserving of a better fate. On the field there was not a better forward than Bennett. The Ibrox inside-left was the essence of cleverness, and it was he who was mainly responsible for the success of Reid, who invariably made good use of the numerous openings provided by his colleague. It was only occasionally that Bowie and Hogg were in evidence, while Brown failed to do himself justice. It was at half-back that the Rangers were particularly strong. Logan especially in the first half, was a tower of strength in the middle line, but for scientific play Galt was far and away the best of a good trio. Gordon and Robertson kicked strongly, bud did not impress when tackled. Lock performed splendidly several of his clearances being at once daring and brilliant. The effectiveness of the Aberdeen forwards was lessened by the frequent changes rendered necessary through injuries. At one time Walker was filling the role of centre-half, while oftener than not in the second half Travers was operating at left-half. When in proper formation, however, all showed considerable cleverness. Although opposed by a half-back of so robust a type as Logan, Main did well, and he received excellent support from Walker and Travers, but Soye and Lennie were the pick of the five., the individual work of the extreme wingers at times being brilliant. The halves as a trio were not so prominent as usual, but McConnell gave of his best. Despite the absence of his partner Colman was magnificent. He seldom, if ever, made a mistake, and had no equal on the field. But for one mistake which gave Rangers their third goal, King did well
