Fleming 6
Paterson 20
Match Information
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Tom Dougray (Bellshill)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Twas an unsatisfactory goal that gave Rangers the points at Brockville. Just as the fifteenth last minute as ‘clocked’, Muirhead swing over a ball from the wing which Morton whipped in first time. It struck the roof of the net and bounced down, but the point set many tongues wagging. Mr Dougray had no doubt whatever, for he immediately signalled a goal, but the Falkirk players protested vigorously. Over the piece, a draw would have done no injustice to either side, for the Ibrox confederacy were weak at both inside positions. Falkirk’s terrier-like tackling by a virile intermediate trio upset Rangers’ attack. Both Gallagher and Hunter gave R Kennedy several good openings, but the Brockville centre-forward was dead off. A tricky blustering wind was responsible for passes going astray, and Rangers operated against it on opening. Ferguson had to save from Fleming in the first minute, and a dangerous cross from Martin was cleared by Muirhead in the goalmouth. Rangers continued to press, and in the seventh minute Morton turned in a short centre, which Fleming steadied ere firing past Ferguson. At the other end Hamilton almost let drop a long, high shot from a free kick by Gilroy. Then Archibald had a spanking run, but his final effort got Ferguson’s crossbar. Falkirk rallied, and following some clever triangular work on the left, Paterson got the better of Hamilton from Hunter’s slip into the middle. This some fourteen minutes later. The Brockville left again had the Rangers’ defence guessing, and Paterson whizzed in one which Hamilton was glad to see go over the crossbar. Immediately following the turn, McIlwaine and his henchmen took a firm grip of the opposition, and Paterson sent over a tempting cross, which R Kennedy hooked over. On top of a Martin free-kick which passed across the Ibrox goal, Falkirk claimed a ‘penalty’ for Gray handling, and Fleming raced to the other end. His jab from short range almost caught Ferguson napping, but the Falkirk keeper recovered in time to tip the ball round an upright. As I have already indicated, Rangers’ leading goal came in the last quarter, and after Gallacher had driven narrowly over, Martin got the wrong side of the net with Hamilton nowhere. No fault could be found with the rear division of the Brockville side. Ferguson and his backs performed admirably, while the middlemen, too played their parts. J Kennedy had Morton and McPhail in subjection most of the time, and McIlwaine was a right good forcing centre half-back. Gallacher was content to play the part of purveyor, while Hunter and Paterson formed the best wing afield. Under pressure, Rangers’ defence as often at sea. Hamilton was OK, but Gray and McCandless were set difficult tasks through the forcing tactics of their colleagues immediately in front. Meiklejohn was best; Muirhead and craig were too often among their forwards. In front, Morton and Fleming were the danger. Archibald was poorly supported, and McPhail was hardly ever seen in the game.
