A Cunningham 70
Match Information
Attendance: 24,000
Referee: William Bell (Motherwell)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Seventy minutes of the rangers at Coatbridge had run before Rangers notched the all-important goal, but at no time really did the Rovers look like springing a surprise. Their backs were always to wall, and right nobly did they stand up to the ever-increasing pressure applied by the First Leaguers. That they held out so long was mainly due to masterly saving by Crosskey. His display was the outstanding feature of a contest – one-sided undoubtedly – but never lacking in interest or incident. He always seemed to read the minds of his opponents, placed himself in position to deal with all manner of shots, and his slick handling of the ball stamped him as a custodian of the first water. Crosskey well merited the ovation given him as the teams trooped off the field. The shot that eluded him was of the unsaveable order. McPhail veered to the right and deftly sent the ball across for Cunningham to belt it into the net with his left foot from about ten yards’ range. It was the sort of opportunity big Andy had waited for all day, and he smote it swift and sure. Once the goal came along the tension among players and spectators immediately eased, but up the that point – twenty minutes from the end – it was a stirring encounter. Would the Rovers burst away and score? This was the predominating question throughout the first half. For the major portion of the time the eager Ibrox pack were in close touch with Crosskey, but the occasional raids by the Coatbridge boys were real sources of danger. Than Brant there was no mote hardworking or crafty player afield. Unlike some of his colleagues, the bigness of the occasion did not affect him, he side-stepped his opponents with the confidence and repose of an experienced fighter. Quinn and Brant served up several sparkling runs and the extreme left winger crossed the ball nicely. On one occasion Brant trapped it as it landed, shot as quickly, but only to find the ball blocked. Instantly he caught up the rebound, fired it in like lightning, but the leather whizzed to the wrong side of the post. It was a near thing, but illustrative of what the Rovers were capable of doing once in the Rangers’ scoring zone. But, as I have stated, the Ibrox brigade moved with power and persistency. Shots were directed from all angles and ranges, some easy, some difficult, but all were dealt with in the most accomplished fashion by Crosskey. His charge had a somewhat lucky escape after 12 minutes. A corner-kick taken by Morton seemed like curling into the net when a Rovers defender suddenly shot out his head and the ball struck – well, something, and the Rangers’ players claimed it hit the inside of the net, while the referee, who was standing on the bye-line, decreed it hit the underside if the crossbar. At any rate, the ball rebounded into play, but the incident led to a tremendous amount of discussion. It was a similar story in the second half – Rangers pressing for all they were worth and the Rovers defending as desperately. The end seemed to be in sight when Crosskey fell in saving as Cunningham drive and McPhail was left with the whole goal at his mercy. Bobby shot but the ball bounced to the outside of the post – an amazing left-off for the Second Leaguers, but the incident served to stell the defenders to redouble their determination. The pace was slowly and surely telling and with every Ibrox attack their powers of resistance weakened, and Cunningham’s goal came as no surprise. The game dulled down in the latter stages, but it had been a pulsating struggle in which the home defenders emerged heroes. Crosskey’s spectacular work earned him praise from all, but a big share of the credit for the Rovers stand must also be given to Dickson and Dougan, a pair of resolute backs who kicked and tackled well. All three half-backs worked with terrier-like tenacity. Walls was tireless, but if bot so conspicuous, Cameron and Fraser were no less effective. Brant and Quinn were the only forwards who mattered, and it was only during the first half they menaced the Rangers goal. Not once throughout the second portion did Tom Hamilton handle the ball. He was splendidly shielded by his backs, while middle division without being brilliant were able to keep the Rovers’ attacking party at bay. McPhail and Cunningham were the best of the forwards, and it was fitting that the only goal of the game should accrue from the work of this pair
