G Henderson 2
T Cairns
Findlay
Reid
S Archibald 89
Match Information
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: T Robertson (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Third Lanark’s display against Rangers at Ibrox would not give anyone the idea that they are a team struggling to escape relegation. Their efforts were listless, and seemingly without any objection. The score – 5-2 – in favour of the Rangers justly represents the run of the play. Rangers attacked on the left, and in two minutes were a goal up. Morton beat the opposing defence and centred. Henderson jumped to it, and the ball went whirling into the net. Four minutes later Archibald set off on his own. The Thirds’ custodian partially held the winger’s shot, but before he could recover Cairns, rushing in, bundled ball and man over the line. Thirds replied with a flying run by Reid, but when he crossed no one was ready, and a chance was lost. The visitors’ backs were shaky, and only poor finishing by the Ibrox forwards kept the score down. Reid and Thirds’ Archibald made spasmodic raids on Robb’s charge, but when it came to netting the ball the whole Third front line were as weak as water. By half-time the game resolved itself into a dreary spectacle, unworthy of the teams engaged. Rangers must have realised this, for on resuming they put on full steam, and in five minutes were three up. Archibald again did the forcing work. From near the corner flag, he sent over a perfect cross. The goalkeeper clutched the ball, missed, and Henderson headed neatly home. Then Cairns started off by himself. Tommy waded through a bewildered defence and crashed the ball in from close range. For about fifteen minutes Third Lanark seemed to lose their lethargy. Reid tore down the line and swung the ball across. Frank Walker slipped it to Findlay, and a first-time shot beat Robb ends up. And yet again came Reid. He beat Meiklejohn and McCandless and ended by smashing the ball past Robb. Then the Warriors lapsed again into their previous state. Rangers pressed, and from a pass by Cunningham, Archibald made the Ibrox total five with a rocket drive. For the winners, Robb and McCandless shone in defence, the latter holding Reid very effectively. Dixon was the best middle-man, with Ireland a good second. Forward, Cairns towered above the others. He made openings by the dozen for his colleagues. Archibald was good and bad by turns. Cunningham fed both wing-mate and Henderson with accurate passes. George missed one or two good chances, but his opportunism got his side two goals. Third Lanark were not convincing in any department. There was a lack of cohesion in the team. JW Walker cannot be blames for the five goals lost. The backs never steadied up and played into the Rangers’ hands. At half-back Williamson was best, and in front Reid was clever, but his efforts did not get much support from the inside trio. McInally, the centre forward, was decidedly below his top form
