W Reid
Goodwin <45
Goodwin
Match Information
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: J Lyons (Hamilton)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Even if outpointed and beaten by a decisive score at Ibrox, Raith Rovers could claim some credit by their performance. I daresay the best of teams, shorn of their two regular backs, as the Rovers were bereft of Philp and Cumming would have expected to fare badly against metal of the Rangers calibre. Morrison had to be drawn from centre half to right back, thus impairing his usefulness to the team 50 per cent – at a chance estimate; J Gibson, who was not in the original selection, was given to him as partner, Logan was made centre half, and Wilson brought in at right half. I dwell on this emergency shuffle of forces because it exercised, to all appearance, a big influence on the play. Facing a swerving wind in the first half, neither Morrison nor Gibson grappled with the Rangers attack either with confidence or success. True, the swift, eager action of the home forwards was ill to deal with. They came upon the Rovers defence so sharply from the kick-off that there had been no time for Captain Morrison and his co-defenders to steady up before Reid had swept a centre from Smith into the net. Only five minutes gone, and a goal to the good, had the effect of throwing Rangers into a frame of mind that was reflected in their play. They attacked almost incessantly, chiefly by the centre and left wings routes, the tendency being to save Paterson on the right. McLeod’s goal had more than one lucky escape before Goodwin got past his guard again fifteen minutes played. Galt, for instance, made the bar shiver with a venomous drive that made the goalkeeper wince, and Logan was also nearly through with a ball that stopped on the holding ground at the foot of the post. During this half, Hempsey, I should say, held no more than four shots, and these were not difficult ones. No sooner had the sides changed ends when an explanation of the erratic kicking of the Rovers backs was provided. Both Gordon and Ormonde, and the Rangers halves as well, found the wind hard to hardness. This enabled the Rovers to come more into the game. Both Cranston and Fred Gibson made several pretty runs. Cranston should have scored after sixteen minutes, but with him and the rest of the Rovers forwards, the finishing was always a weak point. Scarcely had Cranston missed his chance when Goodwin and Paterson made a rapid diversion. Paterson finished with a beautiful centre, and Reid swept the ball into the net, pretty much as he had done with Smith’s centre in the first half, taking his shot without checking the run of the ball. It was a telling illustration of the difference that existed between the two teams in the quality of finish. Fred Gibson made one or two more runs on the home goal, and once Hempsey saved just as he was on the point of getting in for a score. But the scores were all for the other side. Smith, who had been practising the duello with Morrison all through the game got clear away, and centred a hard ball that McLeod could only palm or softly punch out. He was following it up when Goodwin nipped in and kicked the ball over the custodian’s head into the net. That finished the scoring tale. I cannot help believing that the Rovers suffered greatly by the absence of Morrison from a position – either centre half or forward – where he could have forced the game. As a back he was splendid, kicking with either foot as none other on the field could, except, perhaps, Gordon, who I might say, gave his partner Ormonde and Logan too, a lesson in the art of quick clearing. The main difference between the teams was forward, though at half also, Rangers naturally held a definite advantage. Galt is back to his old powerful game, which is the best bit of news Rangers could have with a Cup tie in view. Though the forwards were skilful and effective, they would have be the better of additional weight. As I have said, the others made it as easy has possible for Paterson. To him I would address one word of counsel, and that do not indulge a fondness for beating the man. Cranston and Gibson were the Rovers’ best forwards, and Logan got through an immensity of defence on his own artless style. McLeod had an unenviable time. He was predisposed to believe the outfield defence at a great disadvantage, and that did not improve his nerve.
