S Archibald
Dunn xx, 80
Match Information
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: D Calder (Rutherglen)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
I went to Easter Road yesterday to see the dress rehearsal of the semi-final of the Scottish Cup to be played at Tynecastle on Saturday, I am still of opinion that the teams are evenly matched, and that Rangers may easily reverse yesterday. But for the injury to McMillan, which caused him to go to the touch line and so upset Rangers’ forward formation, the result would probably have been a draw. The battle was described by one well-known Director to be as Dunn versus the Rangers, but Ibrox followers must not accept that as being true criticism. McColl and Ritchie played splendid football, and if Bradley had been in even moderately good form Hibs would have tested Hamilton, Gray and Hamilton to the utmost. In view of the interest taken in yesterday’s game, it is certain that a record crowd will be at Tynecastle next week. Rangers opened with a delightful movement, the immediate result of which placed Referee Calder in one of those uncertain positions, which have been typical of his career. The circumstances can be simply described. Archibald got a ball from McMillan and carried it to the bye-line. From there he crossed a dropping ball that fell behind Robb. The referee turned towards the centre ‘Goal’ was the decision, but in my opinion the ball was not over the line. Then Mr Calder consulted both linesmen at the claimants’ instigation, and the Hibs’ men appeared reluctant to agree to the decision. I am clearly of the opinion that the ball was not over the line, nor indeed on it. Afterwards we almost experienced another sensation. A fast shot was beating Robb, when McGinnigle put out his foot and blocked it. Ten came Hibs’ goal, one of the most brilliant first-timers I have seen. The scorer was Jimmie Dunn. Taking a pass from the centre, he gave Tom Hamilton no chance with a glorious twenty-yard drive. Rangers adopted somewhat unexpected tactics in the succeeding stages, every man endeavouring to burst the net. Shot after shot they tried, and on one occasion McPhail had rotten luck when a great drive hit the woodwork and bounced out. In spite of the lack of scoring, the forwards’ work in front of goal was genuinely clever. Hibs kept the game open, and McColl swept an occasional inviting pass to Ritchie. McColl and Gray indulged in a little tiff after the back had brought the centre down. A penalty was claimed, but on this occasion, Mr Calder was correct in allowing the game to proceed. Dangerous as were the Hibs when they got going, Rangers gave the impression that they were playing well within themselves. McColl got entangled near the goal, but was able to get in a shot, the ball eventually going to Ritchie, whose drive struck the upright. Had Bradley, on the wing, been at all effective, Hibs might have secured the lead at this stage. McPhail had to retire for a few minutes with an injury sustained in a tackle. Jimmy Dunn, in attempting to clear, kicked the inside man on the face, and Rangers were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area for dangerous play. Tempers became ruffled, and the standard of play suffered in consequence. Close to half-time Robb brought off two remarkable saves. He cleared partially a shot from McMillan and dealt in fine style with the return from Alan Morton. By the time the second half started the crowd were worked up to a high pitch of excitement. The excitement was reflected in the play of both sides. Fearless tackling was much in evidence, and the only opportunities we had in the opening minutes of the second half of admiring interesting football were provided by Ritchie, Dunn and McColl who, though seldom working in unison, by individual efforts kept the Rangers’ defence on the stretch. Dunn endeavoured to repeat his successful effort of the first half by beating Hamilton with a long drive, but this time the keeper got his fingers on the ball and cleared the danger. I considered at half-time that the Rangers would probably be the more effective against the wind, as they would be the less inclined to shoot until shooting distance was attained. The advantage of the wind and the slop in the first half induced the ‘Light Blues’ to shoot too frequently, and with too little attention to direction. I thought for some time that my opinion was to be borne out. Rangers certainly did work into the shooting area, but I must pay a tribute to the dashing Hibernian defence, who went into their work with great gallantry, and scattered the Rangers’ craftsmen. Morton and Archibald did succeed in getting the ball across, but Robb was always on the spot when wanted. Hibernian got going once again. No one knows better than Jamie McColl how to make use of a long, up the middle drive from one of his half-backs. He shouldered Meiklejohn, and while off his balance stabbed the ball with his toe. A bit more power behind the boot, and Hamilton would have been beaten. The keeper however, dived full length and saved at the foot of the upright. Play rapidly degenerated into an unattractive scramble, with fouls galore, and only an infrequent thrill. One we did get, when Bradley deflected a cross towards Hamilton, and when Dunn attempted to finish the movement, he headed over. Towards the end came Dunn’s wonderful second goal – a brilliant left-foot drive that flew only inches above the grass and into the net. Finally, we had Willie Robb flashing into prominence. His cutting out of crosses and shots was clean and daring. As the game went Hibs gave us something to keep the blood tingling. McColl beat his man beautifully, steadied and shot, but hi missed by inches. A brilliant finish to a pulsating game.
