Stewart
Unknown
Match Information
Attendance: 12000
Referee:
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Affording as it did a delightful contrast in football styles, the friendly match between Newcastle United and Glasgow Rangers drew a crowd of some fifteen thousand spectators to St. James’ Park on Saturday, and a keen game under the best conditions was witnessed. At any time, of course, a team with the reputation of Glasgow Rangers would attract a big crowd, but in the case of Saturday’s game there was the added attraction of the renewal of acquaintance with such old Tyneside favourites as James Stewart and Scott Duncan, who, after being granted £500 benefits in September last, were transferred to Rangers. Since returning to his native country, Duncan has developed into one of the finest wingers in Scottish League football, and though Stewart had not been so prominent, there cannot be the slightest doubt that the Rangers have been satisfied with their bargain – though it is hinted in certain Scottish quarters that Stewart may be seen in the ranks of Burnley nest season. The many rumours of ‘business being done’ when the Rangers officials came to Tyneside proved to be baseless – for the present, at any rate, for they are known to have quite a liking for one of the Newcastle Reserve defenders. So far as Saturday’s game was concerned, the best testimonial that can be paid to it as to say that at times the crowd became really excited, and vociferously questioned some of the referee’s rulings – they forgot, indeed, that it was a friendly match, and the ordinary blasé attitude which the Tynesider affects on these occasions soon began to wear off! When Stewart headed the Rangers goal at the end of 28 minutes, following a dash by Reid and a centre by Brown, there was a hearty cheer for the old Sheffield Wednesday and St James’ forward, who is still as clever as of yore, both with his head and his feet. Stewart, however, has not gained in pace since he went to the city of football, and though he collaborated prettily with Duncan and looked well to the needs of Reid, he evidently has not eliminated from his footballing make-up the moods of the old days. There Was obviously a lack of finish in both forwards lines, and in this respect the Rangers’ attack, which included the forward who is likely to head the Scottish lines in the game at Hampden Park on Saturday next Reid, was particularly disappointing. The Rangers leader had any number of chances in the opening half, and one in particular, when he was placed for a straight run through in the best style of the Shepherd we knew a few seasons ago, and the Newcastle backs wide apart, he both moved slowly and shot wide. Duncan rained in centres in the first half, but fell away in the second, and the Rangers most consistent forward was Cairns at inside left. He dribbled prettily and ran fast, and was responsible for most of the troubles of the Newcastle defenders in the second half. The old Villa half-back, Logan, gave a capital exhibition at centre-half, and his play made up for the disappointment felt at the absence of Galt, whilst both Hendry and R Brown were lively and enterprising wing half-backs. In defence, Lock, the one-time Southampton custodian, made one great save from Cooper close on the interval, and the work of Scott, a light but clean-kicking defender, please the crowd equally as much as the soundness of Gordon. Making his debut in the rank of Newcastle’s first team, the Barrington youth, Scorer Dixon, hardly hew how to collaborate with Shepherd in the opening half, but afterwards this vigorous and persevering youngsters did many good things – he certainly knows how to use his weight! The best of Shepherd was seen towards the close, when he twice narrowly missed. Cooper was erratic, and Hardy and MacDonald did not impress as a wing. Hay made it his duty to infuse life in the Newcastle attack, and was rewarded by a gradual improvement, while both Hewison and Spink again performed well. In the Newcastle defence, McCracken, apart from an occasional hesitation in tackling, was good, and Hampson did well at left back, though one hardly liked his partiality for the offside game. The temptation to exploit this particular kind of defence on the innocent Scots was too strong, and as events proved, against as team with their deliberate methods of attack and that tendency to holding the ball, its operations was too easy altogether. The only goal of an interesting first half was scored by James Stewart, and the equalising point came after nine minutes in the second half, when Shepherd raced away up the right wing, centred, and MacDonald fired the ball hard into a crowd in front of goal. Dixon shot the ball flashing down from the crossbar, and evidently striking a point inside the line, for although the Scots were scrimmaging the ball away, the referee awarded a goal. Later, Mellor made fines saves from Duncan, Stewart and Cairns, and Shepherd nearly won the game for Newcastle in the last minute. His shot, however, went a foot wide of the upright, with Lock yards away from the spot. Result :- Newcastle United 1 goal; Glasgow Rangers 1 goal
