B McPhail 70
Fleming 72
Match Information
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Campbell Bilney (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Whatever chance Cowdenbeath had of wrecking the Rangers’ unbeaten record was thrown away in the first half when they squandered quite a number of gilt-edged scoring openings. In the third minute, Lindsay pushed a ball ahead of Tollan to score as he liked, but the inside-left unaccountably belted the ball behind. Glancy, who was one of the few players on either side to find his bearings right away on the snow-covered ground, gave Muirhead and Gray no end of trouble, and his accurate crosses simply shrieked for a touch into the net. Neither Pullar nor Lindsay was able to make anything of them. Once Pullar, a couple of yards out, shot across the goal, while Lindsay with a similar opportunity slipped at the critical moment. Rangers were far from being a beleaguered force during this portion, but Morton and McPhail alone of the forwards showed confidence on the treacherous ground, and most of their attacks were straggly and broken up before Middleton was seriously menaced. Arthur Dixon was in his element. The old Rangers’ centre-half took all the risks, and placing himself between McDonald and Moyes, and often behind them, he played a superb defensive game. A couple of change came over the game after the interval. Rangers had by now become accustomed to the footing, and their wing half-backs had more tome to link up with the forwards through mishaps to Pullar and Glancy who had sprung leg muscles and were of little use. McPhail and Morton served up a lot of dainty stuff, and Fleming was invariably angling for a loophole in the defence, but Dixon and his lively colleagues were giving nothing away. Almost 20 minutes had elapsed before the home forwards came into the limelight, and their first raid almost furnished a sensation, Lindsay’s effort to convert a Glancy cross being only inches wide. It was but a momentary burst, and soon the Ibrox men were exercising every wile to find the road to the net. Fittingly enough, it was McPhail who did the trick. No one had tried harder or oftener, and in the twenty-fourth minute he fastened on the ball and with an oblique drive gave Middleton no chance. Back the rangers came again, looking for more, and after Middleton had thrown himself across the goal and diverted a low drive from Marshall, Morton lobbed over a ball which Fleming flicked into the net with his head. In their handicapped state, Cowdenbeath had made a plucky fight. Willie Rankin did the utmost to work up the attack, but with Pullar and Glancy hirpling alone the touchline, he was given little support. Cowdenbeath are to be congratulated on their display. At full strength in the opening period, they more than held their own against the all-conquering champions and had their work at goal been on a par with their outfield play – well, the Rangers would have had something to do in the second half. as it turned out, however, with Glancy and Pullar being unable to pull their full weight, the Ibrox fellows found their task comparatively easy, and it only required McPhail to open the scoring to decide the issue. No one was more conspicuous throughout the whole game than Dixon. Arthur made light of the ground conditions, and despite his tireless efforts he lasted the game as well as anyone. He was ably supported by McDonald and Moyes, and goalkeeper Middleton enhanced his reputation. Once they settled down, the winners were a sold company. McPhail and Morton were very chirpy, particularly in the second half, while Muirhead was very effective, but Marshall did not blend too well
