T Cairns <45
Paterson >45
Match Information
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: A Edward (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
At Ibrox the game was completely spoiled by tactics which were deplorable, and I could safely point the finger of blame at several players. To my way of looking, Rangers had not so much to reproach themselves with as Clyde had, and neither team was so much as fault as the referee. In the heat of a strenuous games players may forget themselves at times, but kept under control all will end well. Mr Edwards I thought should have been more firm with certain players who were all too fiery in the second half. Then a penalty awarded Clyde made things rather worse. Few of the 12,000 spectators knew what the penalty was given for, and the referee would not enlighten me at the finish. Of course, I don’t blame him for that. There certainly had been a difference between Muir and Melville, but as Muir had been the aggrieved party a free-kick for Rangers was generally expected. Rangers worthily earned the points. They took a fair time to settle down, but for fifteen minutes prior to the interval they moved along in fine style, and were thoroughly deserving their one-goal advantage at resting time. Cairns, who had scored the goal, was badly injured, and during five minutes of the first half and all the second half he was in the pavilion. As Paterson limped through the second half and Reid was off hurt for a period, you can see that Rangers’ defence rise finely to the occasion, while the depleted vanguard did well to notch another goal. Clyde opened in rare style. Quick passing and wide passing allowed then to bear often down on Craig and Muir, but past these pair the Clyde forwards could not find a way. Thompson and Fleming during the early stages formed a strong partnership, and McAndrew and Collins gave them every opportunity. But all that their good and strenuous work yielded was two corners. Rangers had meantime found the diagonal wind a disadvantage rather than a help, and many passes from Reid and Bowie went astray. However, the Ibrox forwards latterly struck a better game and their first corner almost brought a goal, Cairns failing by a fraction to head through Duncan’s lovely-placed flag-kick. Cairns made one or two other good efforts, and it was fitting that he should open the scoring after almost 30 minutes’ play, Pursell started the movement by sending forward a ground pass to Reid, who being hampered slipped the ball forward. Cairns beat Farrell in the race for possession, and while on the run, Cairns delivered a fierce drive, and as the ball went into the net at lightning pace, the scorer tumbled head over heels. It was a magnificent goal. Cairns later tried to repeat the effort. This time he had the fall, but no goal, and the shaking up on these two occasions was too much for him. His retiral from the game was unfortunate for Rangers. Before the interval, Reid worked right past Gilligan and Farrell, and placed the ball pass the out-coming McTurk, but as fortune would have it, the ball hit the base of the post. That was a ‘life’ for Clyde, who a moment later gave Lock his first real test, a strong shot from Allan being well saved. I have already mentioned to what extent Rangers were weakened in the second half. The defence looked like holding out easily, for while Clyde had the greater part of aggression the finishing was feeble, and Lock had little to do. Rangers playing three sound forwards and a crippled one, one did not look for them scoring again. But the unexpected happened after 18 minutes. Following a throw-in Duncan dispossessed McAndrew, raced to the line and, before Gilligan and Farrell where aware of it, McTurk was faced by Reid and Paterson waiting for Duncan’s centre. McTurk, I believe was looking for the final touch from Reid, who allowed the ball to go to the lame Paterson, who turned the ball into the net. After this reverse, Clyde played desperately, and the bad feeling which crept into the game became worse. The climax was the penalty-kick mentioned. Thompson score. Eight minutes remained, and Clyde made strong but unsuccessful efforts to equalise. For Rangers, Lock had not much to do, so capably was the protection by Craig and Muir. Pursell was the outstanding half-back, and Gordon also played well. The forwards were moving along finely before Cairns went off. Cairns, while fit was best, with Duncan doing good work on the wing. I believe the line would have done well in the second half had they been fully represented. Clyde were capably served by Gilligan and Farrell. The halfs, excepting a period in the first half, played well, But Collin’s methods were not liked by Rangers. Lawns is not yet of first-class standard, and the forwards who impressed were Thompson and Allan
