J Smith 10
Match Information
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: J Leggatt (Coatbridge)
Matchday: Tuesday
Match Trivia
Rangers won this game, but in the doing of it didnt earn themselves any medals. The goal that secured the points was scored by Smith in ten minutes, a twelve yards grounder that his old team, Tom Hamilton seemed a bit slow in getting down to. For a spell afterwards it looked as if we were to witness one of those affairs that are called no contest. Rangers completely dominated affairs in the outfield, and gave the impression that they could, and would, score whenever they liked. But Nisbet and Hamill had other ideas, while Tom Hamilton behind them also was possessed of the they-shall-not-pass spirit. Attack after attack by the Rangers was thrown back. Those Falkirk defenders certainly fought well with their backs to the wall, although, at time it must be said, they were assisted in their work by the ineptitude of the home wing men, who were far too guilty of hanging on to the ball and trying too much. Gillick was especially at fault here, and I was a bit disappointed in him after the glowing accounts I had heard of his debut as a right winger against Dunfermline. It was only at long intervals that the Brockville fellows got going as an attacking force, and on the few occasions they did make headway it was chiefly by reason of chasing long balls up the field, rather than by organised effort. Exception must be made of the time, however, when Meechan, taking a nice pass from Cabrelli, cleverly tricked Gray and weaved through to the penalty area to sling a hard one goalwards. Later, we very nearly had a Harry Hampton Jimmy Brownlie episode, Bartram tearing in like an express train, narrowly to miss Dawson, who, clutching the ball to his breast, just got his shoulder out of the way by the narrowest of margins. Jerry, if he had been caught, so much was he off his balance, would have been a certainty to land at the back of the net. It was a livelier Falkirk that set about things in the second half. The half-backs tore into the opposition, never giving them a seconds rest; and there was a time when rangers threatened to lose the place. Venters changed places with Gillick midway through this portion, and the sequel was that we saw more of Smith in action. The big fellows direction in shooting, though was a bit wild; and Macaulay tried from too far out to cause Hamilton much anxiety. Falkirk were now making a hard game of it, but their tactics were wrong. There was far too much trying to reach Bartram with long punts up the centre of the field, and not sufficient play to the wings. Bartram was willing, eager and untiring, but he got little chance, for Simpson covered him ideally, and was always positioned for the leather. Towards the end, Rangers were again on top, distinctly so; but could not get another goal. Nisbet and Hamill were a wall that they couldnt knock down, and when Rangers thought they had found a way through, it was to discover that they had merely fallen into an off-side trap. On this display Rangers are behind their usual selves so far as effective skill is concerned and the doubts to which their play here gave rise makes the Old Firm battle next Tuesday more intriguing looking than ever. They are fortunate in having such an excellent deputy for Meiklejohn in Kennedy. Falkirk are not so bad as their dismal record would make one believe. This is the first time I have seem them this season, and I confess to being quite agreeably surprised at the considerable amount of individual skill which is in the ranks. It could, however, blend better. Willie Orr, in my opinion, has picked up a likely-looing proposition in Cabrelli. He showed many intelligent touched, and once he settles down among his new mates, well be hearing from him
