Nicholson
J Smith (2)
Match Information
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: P Craigmyle (Aberdeen)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Rangers had a rough passage at Ayr. Quite reasonably and quite obviously, United were not out to match themselves skill against skill and the ball was kept swinging about in a manner which prevented Rangers settling to anything like their usual game. Caught in this tactical maelstrom, Rangers were a goal down in seven minutes and looked a groggy lot, all set up for the Ko, until Captain Brown took it into his head that it was a little real football might be expected. Threading his way past all opposition with the ball under superb control, he gave Smith the easiest of chances, and went the equaliser. This rather knocked the wind out of Ayrs sails and before they could recover, they were a goal behind, Nicholson adding to Smiths counter within a couple of minutes. Ayr got their breath again and were unlucky to be behind at half-time on the proportion of attack. The excitement towards the close of the first period was intense, but the spectators had to wait a long time before it was renewed. The second half dragged on wearily. Rangers football, except in the cases of Gillick and Brown, was rather aimless, but it came out sufficiently in glimpses to justify a third goal by Smith in sixteen minutes, putting Rangers apparently safe, as Ayr had lost all their fire. A surprise was in store, however, McCall reducing the lead to one midway through, and Ayr went all out for the equaliser. Rangers reeled in defence and time and again only the daring and anticipation of Dawson saved their goal. During this spell Dawson fully earned the right to be termed one of Rangers few outstanding players. A fourth goal by Venters, however, ten minutes from time settled it and Rangers ran out worthy, bit not convincing winners. Had Rangers included another player with the astute cleverness of Brown, their victory might have been really handsome. Brown was in a class by himself on the field and Gillicks speedy and adroit incursions into Ayrs territory was the next best feature of Rangers play. Gray found Brae rather elusive, and McDonald often failed to clean up the ball in his interventions. Whether or not all this reacted on Simpson. The big fellow was not at his best. Only Brown of the Ibrox half-backs could be depended upon to give any inspiring service to his forwards, which explains how the game so often ran towards Dawson. Rangers forwards had more or led to fend themselves and with venters and Macaulay endeavouring to put too much work on the ball, the attack was sticky and too much reliance was put on the power of Smith. He got two of the goals but had not a very successful day otherwise. Nicholsons goal was cleverly executed. The immediate opponent was neatly tricked and the way left open for a tearing shot reminiscent of Nicholsons best, a quality not too often apparent here. Ayr were plucky, and nearly earned some reward through this, but their team troubled are still very much with them. The experiment of playing Currie at back was a flop and his services would have been of far more value at centre-half, where Alecander showed many signs of immaturity. Three of Rangers goals cane be attributed to defensive misunderstandings, the scorer being left open as the ball came to him. Ayr will require to fix an outside right. Fisher quite definitely is not suited for the position. The preference of Fleming to McGibbon at centre-forward cannot be justified on this display. The finishing power of the versatile McCall were appreciable in the forward line and Fitzgerald did fairly well, but easily the best Ayr forward was Brae, who could both beat his man and find the proper place with the ball. Hepburn was in no way to blame, and like Dawson, he took his side out of many tight corners. At team without the services of stalwarts like Meiklejohn and McPhail cannot be expected to touch par, but the fact that Ayr stood a chance until the closing stages does not say much for Rangers performance. McCall beat Dawson in a race for the ball to give Ayr the lead in seven minutes, and Smiths equaliser from Brown came ten minutes later. A quickly placed free kick by Brown sixteen minutes after half-time allowed Nicholson to cross unchallenged and Smith to shoot Rangers third very simply. McCall pounced on a ball stopped by Simpson to score Ayrs second goal 22 minutes from the end, and ten minutes from time Venters got the best goal of the match with a terrific shot from a right-wing cross
