Brown (2)
S Archibald
Croal
Match Information
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: unknown - to be confirmed
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Rangers came out with their tails up at Ibrox. Falkirk had the demeanour of a Stock Exchange speculator surrounded by bears growling for a victim. There could be only one sort of ending. Falkirk took most of the match to realise that they might do something if they believed more in themselves and less in the ‘bears.’ Bit in all that, Rangers had the bulge in ability. They were a well-balanced team; whereas Falkirk were unsound at half-back, where a team can least afford to be weak. Playing delightful wing football the ‘Light Blues’ had given Allan some severe tremors – and had themselves got one from Simpson and Sim – before Archibald flashed the ball into the net from pretty far out. Cairns had just shivered the post, and the ball had been returned to Archibald before the Falkirk defence had quite recovered, which is the only explanation I can offer for the winger’s fine left-foot shot being allowed to reach the net without a single attempt to stop it. Although the Falkirk forwards were able to get a move on now and again, and even to discover a weak link in the home rearguard, the real danger came from the Rangers’ raids hammered out in quick succession, and initiated often by the cleverness of Gordon. We were always looking for Rangers’ goals, and when the second one was cutely side-tapped into the net by Bowie, following a corner by McDiarmid – who was going great guns, was Cairns – the run of the play was no more than reflected. I was under the impression that Allan’s view was impeded by Archibald when Bowie scored. Things had been running not over well for Brown up till now, but immediately on changing ends he dashed through the Falkirk defence and scored a Brown-like goal. As a sequel to persistent Rangers pressure, Brown scored a fourth. Then Falkirk became care-free. They took risks and enjoyed a bigger share of the play than ever, even to the extent of scoring, for Simpson went away from Blair and centred so well that Croal, always cool and clever, had an easy job to beat Hempsey. What Rangers could have done had they been extended is doubtful, but they played well within themselves, and showed some rare artistry, especially Bowie, Gordon and Archibald, while even Cairns came out in a lighter vain and gave McDiarmid a perfect service. Pursell forced the game profitably, and tackled McTavish so closely that Simpson could get few opportunities. Still, the clever winger took a lot of watching, and had the other Falkirk forwards been stronger they should have benefited by the attention given to ‘Jocky.’ Harvie I should like to see in the half-back line again. His undoubted qualities are dissipated at centre. Croal and Sim should make an effective wing in most matches. Under the circumstances McLeod did well, but I have seen him play better. Except for the loss of one of the goals, Allan could not be criticised
