A Morton 5
S Archibald 8, >45
Match Information
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: T Small (Dundee)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
An attendance approaching 9000 saw Dunfermline Athletic put up the most wretched display of football against the Rangers that they have served up for many a day. The score of 5-0 in favour of the Light Blues was flattering to the home team. It was not that Rangers were a superlatively good side. Their display was inly uniform all through, but it showed that Dunfermline were an excessively poor one. Dunfermline had chances to score but could not take them. Skinner and Whyte were the worst offenders in this department. The former on two occasions drove wildly when only a few yards from goal with only Hamilton to beat. The Rangers’ machine worked very smoothly, and it was only a general desire on the part of the players to let Andy Cunningham get a goal that kept the score within respectable limits. A strong westerly breeze against them, Dunfermline started with the obvious intention of rushing the Rangers off their game. Twice within the first few minutes Hamilton had to be alert to save from Whyte. Cunningham transferred play from the right to Alan Morton and gave the winger a peach of a pass which left Alan with nothing more to do than slam it home. Archibald popped on another just shortly after. This was a well-worked-for goal. Cunningham passed to Muirhead, who gave Clark the dummy, and the ball travelling out to the right, Archibald let go a rasper which Stevenson never saw. Despite these early reverses, Dunfermline buckled to, and for a brief period troubled the Rangers’ defence. Then their attack was gradually worn down by the solidity of the Rangers’ half-back line, and Muirhead and Co became the dominant factors in the game. Turning round with a two-goal lead, Rangers were on velvet, and within six minutes Fleming raced through to register No 3. Rangers now indulged in exhibition football, the ball going from man to man with clockwork precision. Archibald and Morton took full advantage of the openings provided and treated the crowd to some sparkling wing play. Archibald in particular was outstanding, and his second goal, the fourth for Rangers was a beautiful effort. Receiving a pass from Cunningham, he beat three Dunfermline defenders before calmly whipping the ball past Stevenson. Shortly after, Stevenson had to retire as the result of a collision with Fleming, and Jock Wilson donned the jersey. During the period he was in goal Jock raised the enthusiasm of the crowd by some spectacular saves but had to admit defeat five minutes from the end, Cunningham slamming in a regular piledriver after the ball had been neatly placed for him by Archibald. Rangers were good from goal to centre, but only Jock Wilson and Dand showed up for the Fifers.
