Mills 25
Main 41
Match Information
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: W Webb (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Im almost stumped. Nearly every big game has its purple patch. This one was grey as a cabbys bowler. Coming down from the directors box at the finish, I heard it described in the old familiar way, Aye, it was a hard game. Which was quite true, but not particularly imaginative. Mind you, there were moments of excitement, bit on the whole the big 30,000 crowd flattered the play. Rangers were slightly the better side. I wasnt surprised. The Aberdeen fellows had a hangover from their mid-week cup-tie. The second half brought this out. For a long time, Aberdeen were compelled to go goal-hunting with three forwards. It wasnt till near the end that the Dons shook themselves clear and applied a desperate Pittodrie pressure. But, although there were near things including the sight of Kinnear conceding a corner at his own end, the interval score of one goal each survived. The first half was a brighter affair. Aberdeens goal by Mills after 24 minutes was the right kind of finish to a saucy and determined Strauss-Armstrong manoeuvre. But Rangers reply through Main four minutes from the interval was equally smart. The preceding movement saw Smith away on the right diddle his ball and chain, Falloon and smash a cross beyond the far post to Kinnear. The latters clever lob was headed out of the keepers itching fingers by Main. It was in this half, too that a terrific vell of Penalty rent the air. The Ibrox defence was in a bit of a mess at the time. The ball was prodded into the area around the penalty spot. Whitey McDonald got in its way. Immediately I ducked as an Aberdeen lady behind me gave my neck a shower-bath with a scream Penalty! But Mr Webb apparently didnt hear her, for he signalled No hands. The din was terrific for a time. And, in fairness to the local fans, I must say that many neutral people around me were positive a hand had been used. At the same time, I didnt see an infringement at all, and as my job is to write what I see, I cant be influenced. The referee was only a few yards away at the time. The game merely proved that Rangers can fight back as well as ever. When the Dons got on the lead, it looked like the vocal enthusiasm round the side would carry and black-and-golds to a smashing success. But Rangers never allowed their anxiety to over-ride their ambition. McPhail continued to pick up loose running balls in the middle and send them over Coopers hair-cream to meet the spanking feet of Kinnear. Main too was always game for a sprint. Aberdeens forwards, on the other hand, were inclined to bunch too much. And the whole team was below par physically. The ping had been spent on Douglas Park and there was little left for Pittodrie. Johnny McKenzie was the smartest forward, master of the cheeky pass, and hero in swinging defence into attack. This boy Strauss has an amazing effect on the Pittodrie crowd. His electric dashes and shots no matter how wild rouse the fane like an alarm clock. He had a fine first half, in which Dougie Gray was often guessing and wrongly. But, after the interval, the wee Ranger kept so close it was only when they breathed you knew there were tow of them. There was little between the half-back lines. So far as the full-backs are concerned, I was impressed by the improvement in Temples play. This young man is rapidly finding his feet. It was good to hear the encouragement from the side, because even many of Aberdeens friends doubted Temples ability to make good. His answer yesterday was emphatic. Of course, there were some below the belt items. Willie Cooper was extremely lucky to play out the game to the finish. Had the referee seen the incident with McPhail, the Aberdeen right-back would have been first in the bath. It appeared to be retaliation, but you know how it is the last shall be first. Just one other point. How many fouls must a plater commit before he is cautioned? The boy David, on Rangers left-wing, conceded at least half-a-dozen. No notebook, no warning no nothin. Kinnear should take heed. He a smart and highly promising player. These irritating fouls spray salt on the icing.
