Fleming 1
B McPhail 7, xx
English 60
Dr Marshall
B McPhail 85
Match Information
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: T Dougray (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
McPhail made it easy for Rangers. Bobs powerful solo runs had a demoralising effect on the defenders, but he was by no means selfish. No one worked harder or with greater effect, and on this showing, he should walk into the team for Wembley. He was in deadly shooting form, and besides scoring three goals, he almost broke the crossbar with an express drive, while Edwards cleared many other shots. Marshall also gave a good display, although not finishing with the same accuracy as McPhail. These two inside forwards were superb foragers, and they kept the extreme wingers going smoothly. English was given little room to work by Menzies, but he contrived to add to his goal register. Cowdenbeath were a better side than the score would suggest. Up to the closing quarter of an hour they had almost as much of the outfield play as their opponents, but they lacked driving power and craft in the scoring zone. Paterson was a plucky leader, and Venters showed fine footwork, but Martin made an indifferent substitute for Stewart and missed a chance early on which, if taken, might have caused the game to run differently. Hamill was fitful, and with Anderson could make little of Murray and McAulay. Edwards cane be exonerated entirely for the loss of so many goals; Davie was given no chance with the scoring shots. But his backs were far from reliable under pressure. Frame found McPhail and Fleming a hot handful, and was frequently puzzled by their cute moves, Russell too, did not enjoy his task at times. Murray more than paid his way in George Browns place. He knows how to part with the ball. Meiklejohn was the most effective of the trio, but Simpson in keeping Paterson from counting did a good days work. Hamilton had several fine saves, but he should have been kept busier considering the amount of pressing done by the home forwards. Gray and McAulay were safe backs. Rangers got off to a flying start, Fleming counting after a spectacular run. McPhail added a second in the seventh minute, also after a brilliant solo effect. Ten minutes later McPhail registered a third. Cowdenbeath never lay down, and in the 25th minute Campbell reduced the odds with an express drive. A minute before the interval, Marshall raised the Rangers total to four. Cowdenbeath resumed in sprightly fashion, but their finishing continued to be woeful. In the fourteenth minute a cross from Marshall was diverted past Edwards by Frame, and from this stage onwards, Rangers grip on the game rightened. Ten minutes from the end, English beat Edwards for the sixth time, and in the closing minutes McPhail registered a seventh, and incidentally completed his hat-trick In the end the Ibrox men won easily, but they had to fight hard for their superiority
