Merrie
J Smith
Fleming
McCall pen
Match Information
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: H Watson (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The Rangers have before now found Ayr United a hard nut to crack on Somerset Park, but it is a good many years since they had such a real testing 90 minutes as was their portion yesterday. On a review of the whole game, it much be said that the Rangers team did not come up to expectations. The conditions admittedly were difficult, but the more probable explanation is that the Ibrox men found their opponents keyed up to the highest pitch and imbued with the team resolution and spirit. Stalwart McLeod at centre-half for Ayr, blanketed Smith, who deputised for English in Rangers centre, Taylor got through as power of work against Craig and Fleming, and than McCall there was no more attractive and no more effective half-back on the field. While Rangers forwards were consequently much subdued, their half-backs found Merrie and company a lively handful, and Gray and McDonald were seen to be frequently in trouble. The Ayr supporters quickly got something to shout about. In the third minute of the game a well-placed, Brae corner was bustled through by Merrie. The enthusiasm found full vent, and the home players responded by putting it all in. Dawson more then once faced awkward situations, and one Merrie header almost beat him at the post. Rangers had the worst of the elements but contrived to raid the Ayr quarters at frequent intervals. Early on, Ferguson, the Notts County goalkeeper serving Ayr for the day, did not inspire confidence when he ran from his goal, and he was fortunate that McLeod cleared his lines behind him. A Merrie shot hit the upright, and Dawson saved in turn from McCall and Taylor, while Smith, close in shot over. Then came a Rangers equaliser. It had a spice of luck. Smith raced between the backs, Ferguson essayed to meet him, but the centre drove the ball straight into an empty goal. Another bit of luck favoured Rangers ten minutes later. Ure misjudged a ball, and Archibald pounced on it to give Rangers the lead. Before the interval Taylor gave Ayr the equaliser, and so the score stood at half-time. Ayrs dash continued in the second half, and the Rangers defence had to be lively. Then came an incident out of which there threatened to rise an ugly situation. Rangers Fleming headed in a ball from a corner. Ayrs Fleming under the bar cleared, but the referee awarded a goal. There were many evidence of dissatisfaction. The referee was alleged to have been struck by a stone and had to have attention. Soon after, Gray handled a ball in the penalty area, and the referee took considerable time in consulting the linesmen before he awarded a penalty, from which McCall scored the equaliser. Rangers strove hard for the winning goal, and most of the play took place in the Ayr half, but the Ibrox mens finishing never seriously endangered Fergusons charge, and indeed twice before the close Ayr came near scoring. Simpson and Meiklejohn were the best of a Rangers middle line that did not exactly scintillate, while Gray and McDonald under pressure revealed unexpected weaknesses. Fleming in the first half was Rangers outstanding forward, but he fell away in the second portion
