J Duncanson 20, 71
Thornton 33, 65
Gillan 82
Match Information
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: J Thomson (Burnbank)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Counter-attraction at Stirling and Falkirk restricted the attendance at Alloa. With two or three hundred Rangers supporters, there was no prospect of a record crowd at Recreation Ground. Team troubles developed at the last moment, and Thomson (Alloa) was deputy for McFarlane. Venters turned out, and Ross and Gilmour stood by for Rangers. Symon, who captained the Rangers, won the toss and and Duncanson headed past. A run by McNeil gave the home enthusiasts in the 5000 crowd their first eye-opener, and Shaw cut his pass back just fine enough. Dawson get there first. A corner to Alloa, nicely placed by McNeil, was headed in by McDonnell, to be headed out by Woodburn. Alloa had shaken off opening timidity. Rice delayed a fraction too long and was beaten. Following this Gillan shot over. Alloa were living up to their nickname, buzzing wasp-like amongst the Rangers defenders. Twice Woodburn headed away in the goalmouth from a dangerous cross by Fitzsimmons. Then a lucky let-off for Rangers as Gillans sudden shot wriggled past several Rangers defenders and hit the post. Play opened out, McNee and Thornton in turn had shots blocked out. Following tricky play by Alloa Rice played cutely to Gillan, and with goal on every lip Dawson on all fours saved. Rangers romped to the other end, and from a Waddell cross Duncanson rose highest and headed strongly to the net after twenty minutes. Alloa almost equalised at once, Dawson stopping on the line a ball forcibly shot by McDonnell. Two corners to Alloa followed. Dashing raids by McNee and Waddell threatened the Alloa goal. Dawson was still the busier keeper and saved well from a further couple of well-placed corners by Fitzsimmons and McNeil. In 33 minutes, Rangers scored a second goal. It followed sustained pressure by Alloa, from which McNee broke away, found the Alloa defence opened, dodged Hamilton and laid on a sitter for Thornton, who shot to the net from five yards. Rangers were confident on resuming, but after five minutes Alloa set about the Ibrox defence again. Twice the breaks were against Gibson and Rice and twice Jerry denied fair reward. McNee continued to be the Rangers star, and it took three Alloa defenders to thwart him in a brilliant run. Apart from him and Waddell Rangers were indifferent in attack, though Thornton once had hard luck with a pot-shot from service by McNee. Culley got it astonishingly. Next Culley had a bit of luck, and deserved it, when he prodded out his leg and diverted Duncansons shot from a corner. Off went Rice in full cry for Dawson, and was brought down, to the crowds indignation. Venters and McNee forced their way in. The latter crossed and Thornton smashed on Rangers third goal 20 minutes after the restart. And again, we had luckless Alloa. A shot in a thousand from Fitzsimmons was denied admission by the heart-breaking Dawson. Waddell dashed off and passed to Duncanson, who shot a fourth goal for Rangers 26 minutes after the restart. Eight minutes from the end Gillan shot a fine goal for Alloa.
