W Reid
A Smith
Match Information
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: unknown - to be confirmed
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
As I watched the Rovers at Stark’s Park in their match with the Rangers, I was forcibly reminded of the last home game with Morton. Ten as on Saturday, all the excitement was crowded into the last ten or fifteen minutes. In that time the Rovers did all their scoring, and concerted an apparent defeat into a draw. The Fife men made a brave show against the ‘Light Blues’. Following a corner kick to the Rovers, the ball struck the post, and from the rebound, Campbell cleared. Bowie fastening on dribbled well ahead, and clipped the ball to Reid. Cumming stumbled when about to tackle, and Reid shot a splendid goal with a left foot drive from twenty-five yards out. This was indeed hard lines in the Rovers, who had the best of the game up to this point. Some past play succeeded. Galt had a great drive, and MacLeod had as good a save. The Rovers’ forwards played well in the open, but their finishing was very weak. Half-time arrived with the Rangers leading by 1 goal to 0. Without leaving the field the game was resumed without Gordon, who appeared five minutes later. The Rangers had the best of the exchanged, but the Rovers kept pegging away. At 11 minutes to go, the Rangers scored their second goal just as McLay of the Rovers was injured and had to be carried off the field. The Rovers with the incline in their favour, much the best of the opening exchanges. Their reorganised team shaping very well. The Rangers’ defenders kept very cool, and played in a quiet and confidence style. Their movements had to be alert as the home forwards played a fine open game. Only eleven minutes remained when Paterson shot across the goal, and MacLeod tipped the ball forward. Alex Smith, running in, netted the ball with the side of the foot. As McLay came rushing along to try and save his goal, he must have over-reached himself badly, as he lay writhing in pain, and had to be carried off. This mishap seemed to make the Rangers certain of victory, but the Rovers pulled the game out if the fire. Morrison rearranged his team. He went centre-forward, and Anderson was deputed to right half. Seven minutes from time F Gibson put across a perfect centre, and Morrison taking a first-time drive, put the ball well away out of Gibson’s reach. The excitement now was intense. The Rangers’ defence wavered before the onslaughts of the home forwards. Four minutes later Anderson shot. The ball swerved away from Gibson, but it struck the post, and Morrison shot into the empty goal, Gibson the Rangers’ goalkeeper, not being able to recover in time to save the shot. The game had taken a turn with a vengeance. The Rangers made a desperate rally, but the home team kept them out, and the game ended in midfield amidst terrific excitement, with the team’s level. The champions did not show convincing form. To be candid, they were lucky to take away a point, notwithstanding the fact that they seemed to have both points safe. The fact that the Rovers equalised in the last ten minutes bears out that the Ibrox defence was not too sound. Gibson gave the Rovers two distinct chances to score, but luckily for him they were not taken advantage of. Under pressure the backs were a trifle uncertain. The half-backs were the strong part of the team. Loan was outstanding, his work looking easy of accomplishment. Gordon over-stretched himself during the first half, and the mishap seemed to trouble him, Galt was kept busy by Cranston. He played a strong, forcing game throughout. The two outside men were the best of the Rangers’ forwards. Paterson being specially prominent during the second half. Smith was great all the time. I have seen the inside men better and more effective. I must say that the formation of the Rovers’ team was not a success, the idea of taking Anderson out of the half-back line against players like Bowie and Paterson was a mistake. If the Rovers cannot get a centre-forward they should stick to Morrison and keep Logan at centre-half. MacLeod kept a good goal, but I consider he was the cause of the loss of the second goal. He atoned for it by other good saves. Philip and Cumming were steady. The half-backs all played hard, and kept the Rangers from settling down. McLay was outstanding, his placing being a feature of his play. He vied with Logan for chief honours. The Fife forwards worked very hard, but they missed glaring scoring chances. Graham seemed to be feeling the effects of an illness. Cranston, Hope and Anderson displayed some fine footwork, while T Gibson hesitated at the goal when in good position. The attendance was about 7000
