Lawson 30
Halley pen
A Smith 85
Match Information
Attendance:
Referee:
Matchday: Monday
Match Trivia
On Monday evening the above teams met in the Public Park at Troon and played a match, the drawings being devoted to local charities. The event was under the auspices of the Town Council, Bailies Smith and Wilson and Councillors Knox, Lainy, and Robertson being among those present. Both teams turned out strong elevens, and there was a splendid attendance of spectators, which could not be far short of three thousand, among the crowd being a considerable number of ladies. The playing pitch was enclosed for the occasion, and along the west side of the field seats were erected, an extra charge being made for the use of these. They were exceedingly popular, the whole of the sitting accommodation being occupied. Prior to the start of the game, the Troon Burgh Military Band played popular selection, and these combined with the good weather, helped to put the vast crowd in good humour. Losing the toss, Rangers kicked off, and were at once at the Kilmarnock goal, where from a nice cross by Smith, Lawson caused Burnett to handle. Stark ultimately brought relief by shooting past, and Kilmarnock from the goal-kick quickly travel led to the other end, but the ball was put behind. Gilchrist was next in evidenced. His pass out was too string, however. Just as Bennett was becoming dangerous, Barrie successfully checkmated him, and through this players clearance Killie again got well down the field, when off-side against the centre was responsible for their undoing. At this stage Kilmarnock were showing up well on the right, but Craig was putting in some useful work, his returns being well timed. The first foul in the game fell to Kilmarnock, but they made nothing of it, as the opposing defence were playing a sound game. Following upon this Bennett got through, but his parting shots were wide on each occasion. Once more Bennett got possession, and passing out neatly to Lawson, that player sent in a good shot which was smartly fielded by Burnett. Kilmarnock made progress on the left, and Gray was well on the road towards the Rangers goal when he was unceremoniously bundled over by McKenzie, at which there were cries of a penalty, but not even a foul was given. Immediately after, from a pass by Cunningham, Gray shot grandly, but Rennie saved superbly. Bennett then got off, was played unfairly in the course of his run, and just as he had got into position for shooting, the referee awarded a foul. A melee ensured, when a fine shot from the foot of Galt was luckily stopped by Burnett. Play on both sides was pretty smart, though the Rangers seemed always to have the pull, particularly forward. Smith finished a run for Kilmarnock with a shot, which struck the wrong side of the net, and within the next minute an effort of Alick Smiths was blocked by Armour. The first corner came to Kilmarnock, but nothing materialised. After a brief period of open but interesting play, Lawson sent in a long, high, deceiving shot which baffled Burnett and found the net about half-an-hour from the beginning of the game. A corner next came to the Rangers, and Gordon had a hard shot against Burnett. Alick Smith followed with a shot of the soft order, which the Killie custodian had no difficulty in clearing. Coming away with a rush, Kilmarnock got well down the field, when Gray was again summarily dealt with by McKenzie, but on this occasion the referee awarded a penalty. Halley took the kick, and made no mistake in putting the leather past Rennie, thus making the score one all. Kilmarnock were now more in the picture, but Gray made a bad miss in front of an open goal, though possibly there was a nasty curl on the ball. He afterwards made amends with the best shot so far, and Rennie just managed to stop the leather on the post. Gilchrist, who had been exhibiting pretty touches, got possession, and caused some enthusiasm when he executed a rig-nag run, but he was ultimately dispossessed. Up till the interval both goal were attacked in turn, Smith failing at one end, and Cunningham at the other, and when the whistle sounded the teams were still level. The commencement of the second half saw Kilmarnock in the aggressive, and Rennie had to clear smartly from Smith. Rangers took a turn at the pressing. From a quick throw-in by Alick Smith, Bennett got well away, and just missed scoring. McLean sent in a ball which Burnett saved lying full length on the ground, and Bennett rushed in to clinch, when he also came to the earth, and there was a nice little mix-up, but the Killie custodian succeeded in putting the ball round the post. Play fell away, and was confined pretty much to the open, being fast and slow in turn. Lawson sent in a serviceable cross, and there was a shout of goal as Alick Smith jumped to head the leather, but the ball went behind at the far side of the goal. Though there was more spirit infused into the play it appeared as if the forwards were not really trying to get goals, as not a few good chances went a-begging. The Killie forwards seemed to lack experience, otherwise at least another point might have been secured by them. Cunningham and Gray made a lot of ground, and some of the passages between the latter and McKenzie were nippy in the extreme. In the closing minutes of the game, Alick Smith successfully evaded the opposing backs, and making no mistake, placed the ball in the net just as time had practically expired. The ball was taken to the centre of the field, and when it was kicked off, time was called, Rangers retiring winners of a pleasant game by two goals to one.
