J Smith 53, 75
Match Information
Attendance: 9000
Referee: J.R. Boyd (Denny)
Match Trivia
In the first half, the players found it difficult to keep their feet in the second half, they found it difficult to keep their feet to themselves. I cant remember having seen a period when the ball meant so little. Deliberate hacking and kicking, pushing and elbowing ach, it makes you sick. There were three guys on that field Id have whipped into the pavilion right away, and theyd never have been missed. But. As they were allowed to stay and still further pollute the game, others quickly caught the fever, and nug can career across a field throwing his legs about. Rangers won more definitely than the score indicates. They had more guile. This wasnt the Airdrie I saw against Clyde at Shawfield. On that day, they had a subtlety that made one proud. Maybe part of the reason was the complete rubbing out of Tom Mooney. Dougie Gray appeared to hang round the whizz-bang winger like a plaster. But probably the main reason was a fellow called Woodburn. The young Rangers pivot didnt make a single mistake. Amid all the dirt in the game, it was a heartfelt consolation to see how scrupulously cleanly he and Flavell played each other. The Light Blues had slightly the better of the first half, and after the interval began to increase their bulge. Seven minutes after the interval Venters fed Johnstone who crossed a lovely ball into the goalmouth. Smith rose to it and, although almost facing his own goal, twisted it cunningly into the far corner of the net. The Airdrie defence looked flabbergasted. But how the heck can you protect your goal if you stand gazing at the fellow who means to pierce it? Fifteen minutes from the end, Smith obliged again from a cross by Gillick and again no one appeared to rise with him. Airdries best players were their inside men, McAloon and Reid. I never tire watching the former. He has a body swerve that would get him through any turnstile without paying! Bobby Russell, too, had a good game, despite the rough treatment he got. But Bruce was easily hoodwinked by Smith in the challenge. Rangers defence was almost foolproof, with Woodburn the brightest shining star. George Thomson made a grand reappearance. Smith and Johnstone shared honours in front. Dont think Tom McKillop was happy at inside-right
