Johnstone 55
Jarvie og 67
Match Information
Attendance: 10000
Referee: R.G. Benzie (Irvine)
Match Trivia
Rangers held their chin out to Hamilton in the first half, wobbled like a fellow who was likely to go to his knees any time when floored Hamilton in the second half with blows that hit a gallant Douglas Park defence from every side. As a matte of fact, Hamilton were little better than a chopping-block after the turn and might have finished five goals behind. Funny how a game can switch. This one certainly did. During the first-halfs last quarter of an hour, the poise and precision of the Hamilton forwards, so grandly helped by forceful, intelligent wing half-backs, had the champions dizzy. The it was that Shaw, best back afield, had the Ibrox fans almost running on to the pitch to kiss him! He and Gray each headed out from neath the bar shots that had the uncertain Dawson licked. Im not going to ponder on what might have happened had Hamilton scored then, or when Harrison struck a post with a ball that deserved a better fate. Im going to tell you what actually transpired. And it is that Rangers not only found themselves but had Hamilton wondering where they had discovered this new vitality, speed and sagacity. Johnstone, an indifferent winger early on, now became a dancing, dangerous raider, carry menace in every incursion. But Venters and Symon were the real instigators. Havent seen Symon so sound in the challenge or so far-seeing in the pass. And now big Jimmy Smith enjoys himself! An Englishman sat next to me. Hadnt seen a Scottish match before. Said he: Ive often been told Smith was the man Manchester United thats my team needed. Listen, they could put Smith into Manchester attack and take the rest away and we wouldnt lose a match! Jimmy didnt get a goal, however. But Johnstone did in the tenth minute of the second half with a swift angular shot. Twelve minutes later, Jarvie turned the ball into his own net in attempting to clear a ball curled in by Venters. Hamilton hadnt a chance after that. Davie Wilson keen and clever, could yet make little impression on Woodburn, indubitably one of the most improved pivots in the game. Tom McKillop, too, gave us glimpses of his Davie Meiklejohn touches, if you get what I mean, but I havent seen Dawson miss so many balls from the wings. Morgan was a much more inspired goalkeeper and can be absolved from all blame. Until Rangers revival, the Douglas Park backs, and half-backs suggested they had the craft and resiliency to trap and humble their adversaries. Rangers will tell you its often like that, and then ask you to look at the League table.
