Reid 80
Match Information
Attendance: 24,000
Referee: P Craigmyle (Aberdeen)
Matchday: Wednesday
Match Trivia
Joy-drunk fans swept on to Brockville Park last night and hugged Jerry Dawson and the others to the pavilion, for only in the last few minutes did the Light Blues squeeze through to victory. Rangers only just got there, and the vital goal was scored by one of the youngest players on the field, Reid the outside-left. It had been touch and go till then. Reid, who hadnt been too bright throughout, swept into the middle for a Venters pass, touched to Thornton, took the return, and as the keeper ran out smashed it over his shoulder into the net. And so, Rangers won a game they might as easily have lost. Falkirks forwards let them down. The wingers were simply in thought and execution, while Keyes and his inside supports never looked like releasing a shot that wouldnt hit Dawson. McKillop didnt appeal to me. Main was a fine enterprising fellow; Venters industrious; Thornton, a boy with real promise; McPhail, strong, and Reid well he got the winner, didnt he? McPherson was slow and Bolt impetuous at times. Shankly and the men behind were magnificent all through. Rangers only just got there but the game proved their fighting spirit. Dawson was immense, the backs fine and Simpson and Brown splendidly resourceful. Thousand of people only followed the game by the shout. They were locked out! The gates were shut half an hour before the kick-off. Spectators hanging on to the barbed wire, others draping the half-time board, and hundreds sitting almost on the touch-line, set the stage for excitement! And it came. The babble of yelling reached a peak as Main sped through, passed to Reid, and the Falkirk goalkeeper risked concussion in saving. But that was a mere whisper to the groans that greeted an appalling miss by Keyes at the other end. Four yards out and he smashed it straight ar Dawson! The game swayed excitingly. Shankly had been policing Rangers young leader tightly, but Thornton took a slender chance and whipped in an 18-yarder. The ball flew past the diving keeper, hit the bottom of the far upright, cannoned back to hit the near upright and just rolled clear. Falkirk fans stopped praying! But the Bairns had more chances. Corner after Corner they faced. The Rangers defence was a bot loose here, but Dawson rose magnificently time and again. In a breakaway, Thornton missed peach, then Main hit the ball against the keeper from six yards. Falkirk were now keeping the ball going freely. In attempting to work into position McPhail and Reid were caught offside. McGrogan missed a possible chance by shooting over from a weak clearance by Simpson. Both goals ran exciting escapes in the closing stages of the first half. Main looked clear through on the six yards line from a McPhail cross, but McPherson appeared mysteriously and prevented Main from shooting. Shortly afterwards a Keyes shot appeared to be finishing just inside the post, but Simpson got a foot in and diverted the ball off the post for a corner. It had been a stirring first half with honours even. The second half followed along in the same thrilling way. McKie brought off a miraculous save from a point black shot from McPhail. No wonder his mates showered him with grateful handclaps. To the yells of their fans, Falkirk swept down to the other end, and desperate clearances saved the day for Ibrox. But the Falkirk forwards could not shoot for toffee, else they would have notched one of the many openings. A terrific angular drive by McKerrell which rolled just over the bar was the brightest effort so far. Rangers began to asset themselves, however, but the lusty punting of Nisbet and Peat sent them back. It was anybodys game. Then, with only a few minutes to go, came the winning goal.
