Bain 85
Match Information
Attendance: 32,000
Referee: H Watson (Glasgow)
Matchday: Wednesday
Match Trivia
This was one of the old-time Firhill thrillers, played at a pace that was wonderfully fast under conditions that did not lend themselves to speed. While no one would have grumbled at a draw, so valiantly did both teams battle through a gruelling tussle I cannot withhold the highest praise for the winners. Particks young forwards rose grandly to the occasion, and though at times missing chances by the tension of the contest the contributed greatly to the exciting incidents which packed the game. Some of the Rangers players seemed to be feeling the effects of the testing struggle on New Years Day. Among the forwards there was not the same sharpness of action, but the defence was splendidly sound, as was also Particks. Better goalkeeping has not been seen than was shown by Johnstone and Dawson. They were both heroes. Well merited were the cheers they both received. And this brings me to the goal, scored five minutes from the end. Looking to all that had gone before, the desperate, neck-or-nothing saves, it was curious that the match should be decided by a goal of the kind. Bain, who was being well plied with the ball, turned to get it to his right foot. He sent it across low all the way. It seemed as if Dawson though the ball would go wide, but it swerved inward, struck the far post and went into the net. Didnt Firhill faithful cheer! You could have heard the applause a mile away. I shall always remember this match for the dramatic escapes of both goals. Time and again, you would have chalked up a score and the next second, or fraction of one, the position was saved in almost miraculous fashion. There was one double incident in the second half which fairly set the house on fire, so to speak. Dawson made the save of a life-time, and in a flash, Johnstone was doing the same at the other end. I do not recollect anything quite like it. It almost seemed too fast to be true. Rangers opened with a breezy attack, but the Partick forwards replied with a swift counter thrust, and McLennan, from close in, lifted the ball over the bar. Next minute, Rangers were sweeping in on Johnstone, and Gillick got away a shot which caused the ball to run along the bar. These were exciting incidents, and more to come. Rangers were on top for a time and Johnstone and his backs were the busy men. But Partick came on with a bang, and several times the Rangers defence was in desperate straits. Now and again the pace, slackened, but just on the interval Regan got clear through and seemed a sure scorer when Dawson dashed out to make a thrilling save. It was the second half that made the atmosphere electric. Where the players found the stamina was a mystery. The pace became faster and faster, there were more wonderful goal escapes and more marvellous goalkeeping. Anything could happen any moment, but with five minutes to go it looked to be a drawn match, and then Bain got home the winner. Even after that we had thrills, for Miller almost snatched another goal, and Gillick came as near as possible to saving a point. The crowd dispersed in a hum of excitement feeling, surely, that they had got value for money. Defence all round was splendid. If slips were made, the conditions were to blame, but the recovery was good. I have praised Johnstone and Dawson, and now let men congratulate all four backs. Nor was there a weak half-back on the field. They were workers all and effective. Brown suffered in a tackle in the second half, and just on the finish he got a blow on the stomach and was being helped off when the whistle went. In front, Miller was the vital spark for Partick, but even allowing for missed chances, the others all pulled their weight, especially in the second half. They were faster away than the Rangers forwards, who were properly capped by Gillick not being properly fit. Venters was a voracious worker and could shake hands with Miller
