Martin
B McPhail pen
Match Information
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: JS Archer (New Stevenston)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
According to statistics, Bo’ness had not the remotest chance of achieving anything tangible for their visit to Ibrox. “It will be a farce! Poor Bo’ness; let’s hope Rangers will be merciful in their strength,” I heard it said, but what a surprise was in store. Beaten Bo’ness were and deservedly so, but by no stretch of imagination could it be said that they were outplayed. Indeed, had they left with a point, even the most perfervid Ibrox enthusiast could not have grumbled. I cannot remember Rangers giving such a puerile display. They lacked confidence, were ragged in their tactics, and never revealed the subtlety which we expect. The absence of Cunningham, Meiklejohn and Fleming perhaps had something to do with their ineptitude, but this was not altogether the cause. Bo’ness on the other hand, have surely never done better. There was nothing dainty or scientific about their play, but so determined and wholehearted were they that they always appeared likely to do something sensational. They did, for after ten minutes, Chris Martin, seeing an avenue through the Rangers’ defence, smashed the ball into the net. Yuill had no chance, his views being blocked. Rangers threw all their resources in an endeavour to level matters but were repeatedly sent scurrying back by the resolute and resourceful Newtown Park rear defenders – big, powerful fellows who never flinched a tackle and were sure and precise in their clearing. The equaliser came, but only by the aid of a penalty. Hume, becoming flurried during a heavy Rangers bombardment, struck the ball with his hand as it passed over his head. Simpson touched McPhail’s spot kick but could not hold the ball. Even after the loss of this goal, the gallant Bo’ness side gave quite as much as they got and there was ever possibility of their once more going ahead by their fleeting raids, particularly as neither Gray nor Hamilton was happy in his task. Just on the interval, however, Rangers took the lead. Seeing Marshall unmarked McPhail pushed the ball forward, and his colleague swept it past the advancing keeper into the net. Immediately before this goal, Simpson had thrown himself at the feet of Marshall and prevented what appeared and should have been a certain goal. Little need be said of the second-half. Towards the end, the team work and understanding of the Ibrox combine began to tell, but it was not until a minute before the finish that they could show anything for it. Archibald, the only forward who seemed to sense what was required, caught up a loose pass by Muirhead, side-stepped three opponents, and after closing in on Simpson, flashed the ball low and true into the net. Young Simpson’s debut in Bo’ness goal was brilliant in the true sense of the word. His anticipation and quickness of action stood him in good stead. He was splendidly supported by the men directly in front, especially Hume – the most effective back afield. All the half-backs did well, while in front, Lynas an elusive winger, was the man of moment, although the others played their part almost as successfully
