Gordon (2)
J Bowie
Paterson
Match Information
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: A Edward (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
One would have requited powerful binoculars to follow the play during the second half of the game at Ibrox Park. For a portion of this half, from a spectator’s point of view, the proceedings were farcical. I do not think anyone would have blamed Mr Edwards had he abandoned the match at lemon time. Quite a clear view was obtained at the outset. Rangers opened the stronger, and following tries by Gordon and Logan, Reid scored the only goal of the first half after eight minutes play. Thomson, Rangers’ new outside left, had been doing well, and Reid’s goal followed some smart work by the Cumnock youth and Cairns. Motherwell played up bravely after this reverse, but there was a weakness in finishing. Waugh being the only one to seriously test Hempsey. Hillhouse and Bond made one or two openings, and once Logan was glad to concede a corner-kick when Bond was on the point of shooting from a few yards range. Rangers came away strongly again, and shot from Reid and Paterson were stopped more by good luck than good judgment. Two minutes after resuming Gordon score Rangers second goal, the half-back lifting the ball away from Kelly’s toes. It would be idle to attempt a description of the subsequent proceedings, for it was impossible to see the goals from the press box. After half an hour the cheering of the crowd near the Motherwell goal proclaimed a further Rangers’ success. Bowie was the marksman. Ten minutes later Thomson gave a nice ball to Gordon, who scored a fourth, and Paterson followed with a fifth. In the last minute Cairns beat Allan, but he was ruled offside. Rangers, of course were the superior team. They were more lively, better balanced, and showed more originality in forward play. It would be unfair to criticise the players on their second half display, and any criticism must apply to the opening half. Hempsey had an easy time. He received full protection from Craig and Muir. Craig was set the harder task, but managed to keep a tight grip of Motherwell’s left wing. Muir I considered the better back. His tackling was well-times, and he was more effective in his clearing than Craig. On one occasion Muir was hard pressed by three opponents, but he came out of a difficult position with much credit. I shall be astonished if he is superseded. Logan did not seen happy on the hard ground. He was, however, generally too difficult a problem for Bond and Waugh. Gordon hardly ever thought of playing a defensive game; he was always among the forwards, and thereby scored two goals. But Motherwell’s left wing had plenty of scope and it was from this direction that Motherwell were most likely to threaten. Pursell in a defensive sense was good. He did not, however, get the ball away to the best advantage, and his methods of distribution seldom varied. Paterson was the outstanding figure in Rangers’ forward line. Occasionally he attempted rather much, and in doing so allowed the opposing defenders to cover their goal. Kelly and McGlade will agree that Paterson is a clever player. I have seen Bowie play better; his passes were lacking direction frequently, a fault also applying at times to Cairns, whose energy seemed unbounded. I like Thomson. If his first game is a true criterion, then he will be played regularly. He is a sturdily-built youth, possessed of confidence, football ability, and speed. He centre well, and can slip a ball nicely along the ground to a better-placed colleague. Reid was closely policed, but managed his usual goal. Motherwell’s vanguard was not impressive. Occasionally they move freely in midfield, but were never dangerous. Hillhouse and Bond were asked to do all the carrying, and both crosses several good balls, which, however, were turned away by opponents. Waugh worked hard, but could seldom get past Muir. McStay was the best half-back. Finlayson’s mission was to shadow Reid and this he did successfully. Penman and Kelly battled heroically but were quite unable to hold Rangers after the interval. I was sorry for Allan, who in the second half seldom saw the ball until he was picking it out of the net.
