Marshall
Unknown
Match Information
Manager: No Permanent Manager
Attendance: unknown - to be confirmed
Referee: unknown - to be confirmed
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The triumphant career of the Light Blues in the League contests received a knock on Saturday at Underwood Park at the instance of the Abercorn. It is seldom the Rangers visit Paisley, but the very last time they had a fixture with Abercorn a heavy fog enveloped the field, and the game perforce was abandoned. That the Ibroxonians are favourite in the suburb goes without saying, judging from the hearty reception accorded the players as they stepped on the field. The spectators gathered slowly, and I daresay not a few of the laggards who came loitering to the ground a quarter of an hour after the advertised time felt pretty much inclined to utter nasty words when they observed the game in full progress. The frequency with which the Paisley clubs start play from a quarter to half an hour late was fully atoned on Saturday as the game started only five minutes late. With ten men on Abercorn’s side and McKenzie substituting Reid at goal for the Rangers, play was started by Harry Raeside. Before any progress could be made, Nicol handled the ball, and the Rangers benefiting by the free kick, were soon busy before Fleming. That custodian twice turned the ball aside, and immediately afterwards, out of a scrimmage Marshall was seen to tip the ball between the posts. As that player was palpably out of play, the referee had no hesitation in refusing the point. Lying well out on the right wing, Wallace was given a chance, and dodging Mitchell he set off full cry for McKenzie. A fast, cross shot to Bonnar was foolishly spoiled by that player sending the ball ten yards over the cross bar. A quick raid was made on the Abercorn goal, but here the brothers Cuthbertson were seen to great advantage in tackling and dispossessing the Light Blue forwards of the ball. The rashness displayed by the Rangers’ front rank in their shooting for the opening was simply appalling. Over and over again the ball was sent past the posts. Twice, however, it struck the bar and bounded over. With the inclusion of Johnston, who now made up the full eleven for Abercorn, the Paisley team made it hot for the Glasgow club. With nerves well set, they bore down on Hodge and Gow, and after a bustling minute or two Raeside managed to kick first goal for Abercorn. From this till half-time the battle, if anything, was in favour of the visitors, but the loose shooting of the forwards and the steady defence of Abercorn’s back division kept them from scoring. The second half, instead of improving the play, only brought into greater prominence the ill-judged shooting abilities of both teams, and with the exception of hasty scrambles at each goal end, the scene of strife was for the most part confined to midfield. The Abercorn kept best command of the ball, the passing among the forwards was much better performed than was the case on the Rangers’ side. However, after half an hour had gone, Hyslop was given a chance, and he quickly eluded A Cuthbertson, and sent in a big shot that went beyond the reach of Fleming and through the goal. The point was stoutly denied the Abercorn, and an unseemly stoppage of the game took place. Mr Halley seemed doubtful as to what he should do, but latterly gave the goal to the Rangers. This displeased the Abercorn, and they refused to restart the game for some time. Ultimately a resumption was made, and up till the finish Abercorn had much the best of the game, but failed to add to their score, the game standing a draw of 1 goal each. Taken all over, the play was very mediocre, and I certainly looked for a much better display by both teams than was the case. Abercorn are happy in the possession of two such determined backs as the Brothers Cuthbertson. The utmost harmony prevails between these two players, and in the first half they certainly kept the Rangers from putting on a few goals. Their style of defence is not a pretty one, but is effective withal. The half-back play of Johnston, Bowie and Reid, although opposed to such smart players as McPherson and Marshall was ably sustained. Buchanan, Raeside and Wallace were the pick of the front rank. Wallace received a bad knock in the second half, and afterwards waited on a pass instead of going into the thick of the fray. The appearance of the Light Blues was below their usual. Hyslop especially was a complete failure. He reeled and tumbled as if he was playing on ice, and seldom made much progress with the ball. The opposing backs and half-backs ran round the Rangers left wing. McPherson attempted too much, and was hampered by the selfishness of Kerr in centre, who refused to pass sufficiently. Henderson and Marshall, the latter especially, were very unselfish, and had Hyslop been open up to receive Marshall’s cross shot, a different result would have been chronicled. Mitchell did not play as well as usual, but he was very fair and gentle to little Wallace, who dodged him repeatedly. Hodge made a good shape as partner to Gow, and will help to complete the Rangers defence. Gow’s kicking was much admired all through the game. McKenzie’s feats at goal enhanced his reputation wonderfully, and in him the Light Blues have a reserve they can depend on
