McLean 4
G Henderson 40, 65
Match Information
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: WF Campbell (Dundee)
Matchday: Wednesday
Match Trivia
There was nothing much to enthuse about in yesterday’s League match at Ibrox, which attracted something like 8000 people. The conditions were idea; dry overhead; underneath splendid footing; yet the play was for the most part almost as dull as ditchwater. To begin with the Ibrox defence was extremely rocky; and quick to ‘tumble’ to this, after the ‘Light Blues’ opening attack had been stalled off, the Somerset Park forwards set about them. Arthur Dixon was caught in two minds and John McLean shot softly past, but the next minute – five after the start – he made good. Dixon defaulted again and quick as lighting, John drove the ball into the net. Rangers buckled up but found themselves against a defence sounder than their own. Ayr had chances, but their shooting was weak, and we were waiting on the turn-about with an Ibrox deficit when things took a turn. Andrew Cunningham sent one whizzing past, a scramble followed, Nisbet found Cairns a source of worry, the ball came out to Henderson, George got a foot right behind it, and Nisbet was beaten. Rangers, equal again, restarted as they left off – pressing. Cunningham crashed the ball against Nisbet, who then turned aside a fine right foot low shot from Henderson. Up at the other end Harry Cunningham drove past when he might have gone on and scored. Then more Rangers. A beautiful Meiklejohn pass found Cunningham ready, as Nisbet was for Andrew’s raker of a shot, and his next one went wide. We were seeing something of the real Rangers now. An Alan Morton lob was knuckled over by Nisbet, who saved again; a Cairns try was blocked, and then Henderson drove hard and low past Nisbet. The points were won. Until the finish the game was evenly contested; either side might have scored again, but as I have already indicated, thrills were few and far between. It will serve no good purpose to dwell on a match which no one was sorry to see finished. George Nisbet kept a first-rate goal for Ayr, and Willie Robb, his vis-à-vis, if given mush less to do, came out of the duel with credit. But I cannot say the same for all the Ibrox backs or half-backs. Bert Manderson, while clever at times, was most erratic, and Arthur Dixon was just so-so. Jamieson did fairly well, but really the only Rangers anything like their best selves were Davie Meiklejohn and Tommy Cairns, and at times Andrew Cunningham, Alan Morton and George Henderson. Both Ayr backs were strong defenders; in the middle line, where young Ford improved as the play proceeded. Willie Gibson was an easy first. Jamie Hogg was below par. In front, Muir, from ‘Steaven,’ showed ability alongside Harry Cunningham, who did very well on the right touchline. The centre-forward was a useful McLean; McKenzie’s great fault lay in lying too far behind, and Kilpatrick, while clever when in possession, struck me as being hardly brave enough.
