Rodgers 13, 87
B McPhail 25, 67
Match Information
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: J Thomson (Burnbank)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
This was a game of thrills, and Aye were a shade unfortunate not to win. Following on their display against Albion Rovers, this latest exhibition by Rangers must give their directions a lit of food for thought. The more cultured football came from them, but against a team that threw everything they had into the fray, they were often subjected to periods of attack that found their defence a cardboard affair. Dawsons brilliance saved them on numerous occasions. To describe all the excitement of the game would take columns more space than I am allowed. Except for a brief interval in the second half, following Rangers second goal, it was thrill upon thrill, with the Ayr fellows expending mush the more energy. It would be unfair to criticise any man on the field seeing that the twenty-two served up the stuff we want. Let me, however, give a few words of praise to Ayrs youngsters Dyer, for his whole-hearted support of that grand little sticker, Bourhill, and Dimmer, who fully justified the confidence placed in him. A cool customer this. McGibbon, at times, was the inspiration of their attack. Rangers best men, who were far ahead of the others, were Dawson and Brown. They were really grand. At half-time the score was one-all. With a little more steadiness in front of goal, United might easily have held a lead. But we must give credit to Dawson for at least two brilliant saves, and for very valuable timely interventions when Simpson and Cheyne were at a guessing competition. Rangers goal was in distinct danger three times for every once that Hepburns charge was threatened, yet the biggest near things of all was a drive by Gillick that Hepburn knuckled on to the crossbar. This first half was really exciting, the game going with a verve that had the crowd continually shouting. The opening goal was scored by Ayr after fourteen minutes. Fleming from the kick-off was on his toes and Simpson had an harassing time. The ex-Ranger got the ball round about the penalty spot. He delayed, however, that vital fraction in shooting. His shot was blocked, and the ball was deflected to Dimmer, who put it across the goalmouth for Rodger, lying close in, to make contact and hit the ball into the net. Rangers equaliser arrived eleven minutes later, and it was a very neat goal indeed. McPhail, standing in the right hand side of the penalty area, was given the ball from the right. He steadied it with his left foot and hooked it with his right well out of Hepburns reach. Yet, one had the feeling that McPhail should never have been allowed the chance which he was so clever and slick in taking. Heavy rain had been falling, and when the players resumed was sodden. Ayr set in to it again, and McGibbon caused a roar with a great run. In the penalty box, he, Watters and Fleming indulged in short passing that ended in Terry being tripped up by Brown. A penalty. But Fleming, who took it, fired it low down and straight at Dawson. Rangers after that has a couple of Really cleverly executed moves, but afterwards they were again put through it, and but for the brilliance of Dawson, Ayr would have taken the lead. Even so, the timber came to Jerrys rescue, especially when a ripper from Dimmer hit the crossbar. It was all Ayr this period. Then anticlimax. After 21 minutes. Gillick took a free-kick from near the left touchline, and from the resultant scrimmage McPhail headed in. Hepburn stopped it, but the ball bounced off his chest and over his head into the net. The loss of such a goal seemed to knock some of the spirit out of the United. Rangers took up the attack and had the home half-back running all over the place. Ayr, however, were not dome with. McGibbon, apparently enjoying the heavy going, led the way to Dawson with a number of runs, which, however, ended with then intervention of a Rangers defence that was now playing with much more confidence. It looked as if Ayr were booked for undeserved defeat until two minutes from time, when there scenes of indescribable enthusiasm. A clearance from Ayrs goal area went to Fleming, who, on the centre line, seemed to handle the ball in gathering. The referee did not see any infringement and allowed the centre to carry on. He sent it forward to Rodger, who raced ahead, and holding off a challenge from Gray, shot clear of the outcoming Dawson into the net. It was a thrilling finish to a thrilling game. Fleming missed a 59th minute penalty
