B McPhail 10
Taylor 85
Match Information
Attendance: 16,000
Referee: W Wilson (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
A Glorious fight-back by Ayr. This sums up a game of many thrills that finished in crescendo when, five minutes from the end, Taylor rose from a bunch of players to head home a cross from Albert Smith after McGibbon had tenaciously done the donkey work. Rangers scored their goal seven minutes after the start. Ross shied a ball that travelled as far as a free kick might, and left McPhail with the defence wide open. From an acute angle, the inside-right drove the type of ball that leaves a goalkeeper without a chance. The loss of that early goal completely unsettled Ayr, and needless to say, it had the opposite effect on Rangers, who proceeded to show us beautiful football, the brand which they have not been producing too frequently of late. Ayrs goal had several narrow escapes, but although their defence played in resolute manner, albeit taking some risks, one had the feeling all the time that Rangers skill and power would ultimately prevail. So must have thought the Rangers players themselves, for I detected a certain carelessness when it came to finishing. They were to pay for that later on. United started the second half with a pep that in some of the players had been sadly lacking in the opening 45 minutes. Steele, for instance, got stuck into his work, ad Brown found himself set a problem that he never expected would arise. Smith on the touch line gained more confidence in himself, and the Ayr right wing, as a result, was a completely altered affair. It changed from a meandering stream to rushing waters. Rangers had had many chances to put the game in the bag; now Ayr had them to draw level, if nit actually to take the lead. Dawson had a couple of great saves, one typical of him, when he punched the ball away from the feet of McGibbon. The last twenty minutes produced a rare, swinging game, with the crowd getting plenty to shout about. And didnt they shout when the equaliser came along! At the same time, I was surprised that Rangers, with such experienced campaigners in their ranks, did not make sure of things early on. Dawson was his usual self, and the same remark applies to Gray. Winning could be beaten when played on to on his right side. Ross, whom I was seeing for the first time, struck me as having the makeup of the complete wing half-back. Simpson was ragged at times, and Brown was shaded in the second half. Main was the best winger on the field, and McPhail was the power of the attack. This was Smiths best game in goal for Ayr, I would say, and he had most to fear from McPhail. Summers, who took the field not in too good conditions, was erratic, and strain was the steadier of the pair. Currie was the big fellow in defence in more than the physical sense. Mayes was not far off being the best half-back afield; certainly, he appealed most as a constructive one.
