Logan
A Bennett <45
Match Information
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: R.T. Murray (Stenhousemuir)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
I have heard that to kill a fly, you needn’t take a sledge-hammer for the job, and by the same manner of reasoning I don’t suppose that Rangers felt like piling on the agony against Third Lanark, at Ibrox. At anyrate, in a game that went all in favour of the Light Blues, they could score only twice in the first half, and not at all in the second half. Third Lanark got off easy. They never looked like drawing, let alone winning, but they set up a resolute, untiring defence that put to shame some of the colourless attempts for the forward rank. But then, again the shooting of the Rangers forwards was no better than it had been since the advent of April, and when I remind you that only a single goal had been scored in each of the three League games played (two by Smith, and one by Cairns), you will see that it was not specially fine. The goal by Cairns against Hibernian at Ibrox, is the only one scored by a Rangers inside forward during the present month. In face of that simple statement, any child could guess that the team had not fared luxuriously in the matter of results. The fact is that for Rangers since March 25, on the evening of which Ayr United suffered a 5-2 defeat at Ibrox. That is not as it ought to be. Against Third Lanark at Ibrox Rangers were in the shooting zone often enough, and for long enough, for shooting forwards to have collected a handful of goals, even in opposition to the good defence of Wharrier, Lennon and Orr. But the powder was damp, and the locker almost empty of shot. With such an equipment of ammunition, the boldest old pirate who ever roved the Spanish Main would have captured few prizes. Third Lanark’s complaint was a lack of motive power. The forwards were so seldom able to come within range that you did not expect them to get goals. Lock had a splendid view of the game. On a few occasions he was asked to save, and late in the second half he even had to concede a corner, but I never could imagine a Cathkin forward being able to ram the ball home. I wish one or other of them had scored, because a goal for Third Lanark would have been the best tonic for Rangers. They had things too easy. Something was wanted to give them a spur. For the first fifteen minutes Rangers were in and out of the Third Lanark defences without ever being able to make a serious impression. They always appeared to be moving under half-steam, and to such an extent had they measured the Cathkin attack that Gordon – a back – was frequently well over into Third’s half of the field. Bennett’s runs and centring was the brightest feature of the early game. Two or three times, the Third Lanark forwards had come sailing in with spasmodic rushes, and once Smith enjoyed the luxury of a shot, but for the rest it was a case of waiting for a Rangers’ goal. It came after twenty-four minutes. Bennett brought out a corner with a delightful dribble, and following this Logan shot from well out. Wharrier was deprived of the chance of saving by the number of players spoiling his view, and the ball went past him, low down. Only four minutes more had elapsed when Cairns beat Hullock in a tackle, and running on centred for Bennett to gather the ball and shoot a nice second goal. Before the interval, the Cathkin forwards made a bold onslaught which brought a corner, and then from three or four yards range, Cairns managed to get the ball over the bar after Bowie had lobbed the ball in to him. Third Lanark put some more dash into their play in the second half. Mountford did all he could to fire up the forwards, and several times he got them to respond in a manner that showed how troublesome they might have made themselves at other times. Lock for a short spell was harassed, and he was even once beaten, but had the pleasure of seeing McTavish’s shot go right across goal and into safety. Rangers on the other hand, brought out a lot of good saves by Wharrier, and made Lennon and Orr concede corners, but they could never get another goal, come they ever so near. Had Rangers been extended, I fancy they could have done better. Lock never got warmed to the game. Sometimes, when he was walled upon, I thought his saving lacked the old snap and certainty, but then the worst thing for a goalkeeper is to have nothing to do, because as with a good razor, want of usage dulls his temper. Wharrier, who substituted Brownlie in the Third Lanark goal, had a busy afternoon. He did splendidly, and so also Lennon and Orr, who had put their backs to the wall and fight it out for long spells. Gordon and Muir practically walked through the game, but as I have said, the Third Lanark forwards were easily handled during most of the match. What exactly was wrong with the Cathkin forwards, it is difficult to tell. They certainly suffered from a lack of weight on the right wing and centre, but more than weight was a wanting. They were not a combination. You seldom saw them moving along all of a piece. Mountford was asked to try the impossible, for the others would not keep up with him. Smith suffered from being badly fed. No centre can be effective if he has to work his head off getting at the passes meant for him. Cranston and Brown were always uncertain. Rangers’ half were far ahead of the rival trio, among whom Swift stood alone as a worker, a spoiler, and an aggressive force. It was an index to the way the game was sometimes going that he should take it upon himself to dash past his own forwards with the ball in an endeavour to make an impression on the home defence. Rangers’ forwards play had its weaknesses, the chief one being the inability to finish. It has become a chronic complaint with them, and is the principal reason why the achievements of the team have fallen flat. In seventeen of their League games, they have scored either only one goal, or have failed altogether. Championships are not won in that way, or Cups either. All three inside men were deficient as marksmen. Reid tried to carry the ball with him too often. I think it would always pay him to swing it out more to the wings, and trust to getting it back with the defence spread. It was this style of game that he played so well for the Scottish League team at Burnley. He need never expect rival defences to give him any chances. He is too well known for that, and he has scored too many goals in his time. Bennett’s play on the extreme wing was the feature of the first half, but Bowie tapered off strangely, and was beside, unfortunate at times. Cairns I still think will be a more than useful forward
