Dr Marshall <45
Muirhead >45
Match Information
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Tom Dougray (Bellshill)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Without adding anything to their prestige Rangers overcame Falkirk by the narrowest margin. In a game of varying fortunes, the Brockville confederacy put up a fighting finish. Why, in the closing minutes, Hamilton made a brilliant save from Paterson’s spot-kick, and a first-timer flashed past a post from Kennedy. Rangers’ play all through lacked lustre. Falkirk, on the other hand, made ground by sharp thrust and darts, which unsettled Rangers’ intermediate trio. Right away Falkirk attacked. Gray headed out a likely looking shot from below the bar. Paterson forced three flag kicks. Uncertain in their clearances, Rangers’ defence scraped the ball away. Once R Kennedy almost caught Hamilton napping with a cute header, but the Ibrox keeper tipped over. At the other end Cunningham got out a long ball to Morton. Alan slipped Scobie and belted for goal, but Ferguson watched it go closely past an upright. Gray’s anticipation was always in evidence, and repeatedly he foiled dashing raids by the Bairns’ attack. Rangers scored five minutes from the interval. Clever passing by Muirhead and Marshall enabled the centre to smash home a great shot, which found its billet via the crossbar. Two minutes after tea-time, Rangers were two up. Marshall crossed from the right and Morton carried on the good work for Muirhead to tap past Ferguson. Ten minutes later, Hunter released a thirty-yarder, which Hamilton was powerless to save. This infused some life into the play. Falkirk’s half-backs took such a good grip of the opposition that for the nest quarter Rangers could hardly get across the mid-way line. A Paterson cross was headed narrowly over by Kennedy, a Gallagher clipper was turned round a post, while Paterson shot high over from an easy position. Cunningham opened up the play again for Rangers. Ferguson enjoyed a bit of luck when Muirhead hit the Falkirk keeper on the body with a great drive. A late rally by the ‘Bairns’ brought about a penalty. McCandless up-ended R Kennedy, and Hamilton’s clearance from Paterson’s kick earned his colleague’s congratulations. Falkirk had a resolute rear trio on view. McIlwaine improves every week in the centre-half berth. Gallagher, R Kennedy and Hunter were responsible for most of the Bairns’ attack. Martin and Paterson were inclined to hold the ball too long before getting it across. Paterson missed a second half penalty
