Meiklejohn 30
Smith
Match Information
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: William Bell (Motherwell)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Two brilliantly-taken goals by George Henderson represented the gulf between winners and losers in the Glasgow Charity Cup game at Ibrox Park. For reasons that are obvious, the Cathkin Park management called up their reserve players in other folds. Thus, it came about that Muir, of Nithsdale Wanders, and Smith the Solway Star left winger, were pressed into service, while Low, once of Kilbirnie Ladeside; Hamill, once of Duntocher; and Stevenson, once of Old Kilpatrick, found placed in the visiting team. The crowd did not roll up as was expected. The net receipts from gate and stands realised £59 4s 4d. So will did Third Lanark players comport themselves that they more than held their own in the first half. Yet the first goal fell to the Rangers. In the thirty-sixth minute George Henderson slipped the ball back to Meiklejohn when Brown had the chance, but could not take it, of getting in a hitch kick that would have cleared the threatened danger had the Rangers’ centre not got first to the ball. Meiklejohn made the best of his opportunity. First goal to the Rangers against the wind was a happy augury of what was to follow. The triumph was short-lived. Three minutes from the interval the Solway left-winger came boldly into the picture for the first time. Smith stood well up to the challenge of Bert Manderson by blocking the ball as the pair met well out on the line, but close enough to be dangerous. He kept control of the ball and let fly at Hamilton. There was only daylight between the goalkeeper and the post as Smith shot. The ball squirmed awkwardly off the goalkeeper’s chest into the goal. Third Lanark this retired at the interval on the same footing as their opponents. Skilful players generally show their best from against the wind when there is a troublesome breeze. The Rangers revealed something like championship form after the interval. Within two minutes George Henderson drove a straight ball from fully twenty yards in the style of Charlie Heggie. After that things ran smoothly for the Rangers. Eight minutes later Henderson got another open chance, and with a left foot drive he put his side another goal up. All through Andrew Cunningham had spread the play with long swinging passes out to Alan Morton, or to his partner. Now and again, he essayed a shot. One of them was so close as to merit a goal, but he got his eye in and wound up the scoring with a goal in his best style. So steady was the defence of the Rangers that the Warriors could make no impression at the pavilion goal. Reid, McInally and Hamill tried their utmost to break the defence of the young goalkeeper, who fielded the ball as confidently and as skilfully as Robb. One great effort from Hamill gave the young Kirkintilloch goalkeeper the chance to bring off a single-handed save at the expense of a corner-kick that revealed the young fellow to be of the first class once he gets the opportunity of playing in first-class football. The losers did as well as could have been expected. Brown was the better of two overworked backs, and Muir kept a good goal. Laing was the most stylish of the half-backs. Nobe of the Cathkin trio in the middle line excelled him for placing. Williamson kicked and headed well, and over the game he was a conspicuous grafter. Hamill found his master in Archibald, who was full of running and strong in his long centres into goal. The Cathkin forwards were not so collective in movements as the Rangers. Tom McInally was assertive in the centre, but he did not get the ball shoved up to him or across to get the best out of him. Now and again, he got in a good shot, and he was generally up to get the ball as it came across. Reid and McInally were the best Cathkin forwards. The lanky young left winger Smith, is only short of experience. The rangers were in fine trim in the second half. Even when Alan Morton temporarily dropped into left half, when Meiklejohn got a knee injury, the combination was strong enough to break the attacks of forwards who seemed to recognise they were a beaten side when the second goal went on. Outstanding successes among the Ibrox contingent were Hamilton, Manderson, McCandless, the three half-backs, and Morton, Archibald, Henderson and Cunningham. Chalmers was noticeable for his pluck at all times. For tactical play alone the winners were the more masterful side. None of them excelled for tactical play the work of McCandless and Morton
