B McPhail
Marshall <45
Match Information
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: J. Love (Helensburgh)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Never mind the score. Leith Athletic came well out of their first, First Division adventure at Ibrox. Until eight minutes from the end, they were only a goal down, and were in that position on their merits. That goal, which gave the Light Blues the lead for the second time, was a doubtful affair, although I will say that the referee was on the spot and gave his decision promptly. But if Fleming was not offside, he was very near it. Leith with Jamieson and Laidlaw absent, proved themselves a good working team nothing fancy about them, but workers all. They played the game, no kick and rush, but always an effort to make the ball do the right thing. I daresay the man Leith missed was Laidlaw, although Nicol got about a lot and gave Meiklejohn quite a lively time in the first half. The defence was big and strong and gave nothing away except corners, from two of which, be it noted, Rangers got their third and fourth goals. Steele made some good saves, but at times did not show quick anticipation. Mitchell and Forrest were both sound, and the half-backs, of whom I liked McNeill, particularly for his placing, were stickers all the time. The forwards played an open game, passed well at time, and went ahead. Pullar and Young never hesitated to get the ball across, and Marshall, when in possession was difficult to shift and he could shoot. Rangers were rather more like themselves, but there was still a lack of decisive finishing among the forwards, who could treat us to some of the old-time passing movements without being able to finish them off as they used to do. Meiklejohn was of great value to the half-back line, for although lacking some of his old virility his positional play often saved the situation. McDonald played a good forcing game, but could have been doing with more devil, which was the same with Craig. McAulay made a satisfactory debut. It was a big ordeal for him, for he had to get to know the ways of Craig before making up his mind what game to play. He kicks a long ball with ease. Gray was a right good right back, and Tom Hamilton safe. He saved a certain goal early in the game by coming out. But for the lack of shooting power, the forwards were coming back to something like their game, but they have not quite got it yet. McPhail opened the scoring after 14 minutes, when he met the ball on the drop from McDonald. Leith made a lively response, and it was a splendid shot from Marshall that equalised 14 minutes later, after he had got the ball from a clearance following a corner kick. It was a dour struggle until the interval, with no more scoring. Rangers restarted with a bang, and the Leith defence had to exert every ounce of energy. In a hot attack McNeill was injured and was carried off. While he was away Fleming gave rangers the lead again, after Steele had saved from McPhail. With McNeill in the field again, Leith opened out, and the referee consulted his linesman as to a penalty kick claim against Meiklejohn for handing. No intention was the verdict, and then the Rangers got going on the left and right. Eight minutes form the end Fleming headed home from a corner beautifully placed by Morton and six minutes later McPhail did the same, also from a Morton corner. But Leith died game.
