A Venters pen 18
McKillop 54
Thornton 80
Mooney 85
Match Information
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: unknown - to be confirmed
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
In spite of the fact that Airdrie had given Rangers such a tussle at Broomfield, they still suffered from inferiority complex when they visited Ibrox on Saturday. Changes in half-back and forward positions inclined to unsettle the team right at the outset and they never reached the pitch of perfection which they were showing the previous Saturday. In addition to that, they were too careful and were inclined to become rattled not, I might say, without aggravation. Airdrie was best served by Mooney, McMath, Bruce and Crozier. These players gave the Airdrie class distinction and drew respect even from spectators with the darkest blue spectacles and there were many on the terracing whose eyesight might have been better. One thing that pleases more than anything in the game was the way that Mooney withstood the barracking. When we recall the Mooney of old Broomfield days, we realise how much better he is controlled. Telfer and Farr were unfortunate absentees in the Airdrie team and with a change round, Pollock and Forsyth were brought into the team. Ross was announced in Rangers team in place of Symon. Back came Rangers and Crosier held a Venters effort. Monney led Airdrie back to the attack but without success. Rangers opened the scoring in the 18th minute from a penalty kick awarded when Bruce obstructed Thornton when he was following up a neat Duncanson header. Venters delivered the ball into the net well out with Croziers reach. Rangers had the best of the chances in the play immediately following the score. Venters and Thornton made an excellent opening for Duncanson, but he banged the ball over the bar. Rangers defence was stemming cleverly the Airdrie offensive and of the forwards only Mooney did not seem to be overawed by the fact that they were playing at Ibrox. Woodburn kept a close rein on young Flavell while Shaw and Forsyth under control. The Airdrie defence were not so successful, Thornton always being there or thereabout. In fact, after coming so close to the goal and jostling Crozier, the Airdrie keeper had to receive attention. Mooneys driving power came into the limelight when he took a free kick just outside the penalty area. The ball went whistling over Dawson and unfortunately, the crossbar. It was a nearer thing a minute later, however, when the red-headed Airdrie winger struck the post with a fast one. The spectators were determined not to give the Airdrie player a fair deal and the jeering which went on was certainly not in keeping with good sportsmanship. Rangers increased their lead in nine minutes of the second half, when it was not expected. Following a McNee corner kick, the ball came out to McKillop, who first-timed it, the ball striking the upright and rebounding into the net. Play continued fast and furious and McNee, in accompaniment with Waddell, suddenly reverted what looked like an Airdrie clearance and came tearing down on Crozier with the Airdrie defence spreadeagled. Crozier was equal to the situation and running out to meet the oncoming attacker, confused him so that the ball went widely past. Airdrie made no mistake about taking the play down the other end after that and for the first time the Ibrox supporters got an eyeful of the ability of young Bobby Favell. He delivered a great shot which tested the international goalkeeper to his limit. Airdrie were due a further set-back, however, in the 35th minute when Thornton judged well the flight of the ball from a McNee corner kick and headed into the net. Five minutes from the end Mooney, in spite of the watchdogs around him, secured the well-earned goal which, although putting a better complexion on things, came too late to instil confidence into his colleagues
