A Bennett <45
Hogg 55
Match Information
Attendance: 35,000
Referee: J Bell (Dundee)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
I saw the Clyde forwards in the opening game with Kilmarnock at Shawfield. The men were new to each other’s play that night, but the loner the game preceded, the more they improved, until in the second half they had their opponents well beaten. The impression they gave then suggested that further experience of each other’s style and movements was all that was needed to make the attack as serviceable as the old. With the exception of Stevens, the line was undisturbed against the Rangers, but up against a stronger trio of half-backs, they were more easily knocked off their game, and never settled to a semblance of combined action. Changes are not advisable in the early games, and the Shawfield officials would do well to give the original five opportunity to develop their game. The Chesterfield left winger, I expect, will be one of the successes of the team this season. He could not play against the League champions owing to an attack of jaundice, and his deputy, Young of Irvine and Abercorn was outclassed against a skilful half-back of Gordon calibre. If in forward play the Clyde failed, the fact has to be borne in mind that they are not likely to be set a more severe task than befell them on Saturday against the best scoring team of the season. In other respects the side acquitted itself all right, although the greater strain on the defence was apparent when the reserve power of the Rangers was seen to advantage against the wind in the second half, when the Rangers spread their play over the entire line for the first time in the game. Whether it was the rainfall ere the game started that accounted for the inability of the forwards on either side to hit it together on the treacherous surface, or the special circumstances attached to the opening ceremonies whereby the players were nerved to special endeavour, it was obvious to everybody that neither side did itself justice in the opening half hour. The Clyde had the better openings to score in that period, but they could not settle forward, and the Rangers defenders gave them no second chance. Once Bennett utilised the first real chance that came to his side, after about twenty-two minutes, by scoring from about 25 yards range, the end was foreshadowed. For the ‘Light Blues’ combined better as the game proceeded in proportion to the decline in the effectiveness of the Shawfield attack. The game never lacked interest, but the occasion was too big for the Shawfield colts, and only Hamilton and Jackson – and that fitfully – did themselves justice in the front rank. The others were earnest and eager – the captain did not spare himself – but the forward play was featureless and lacked both ‘body and devil’. When the second half was twenty minutes gone McCartney brought Hamilton into the centre and put Todd on the right, but the change only brought a moderate betterment. The south-west breeze kept the ball too frequently to the Rutherglen Road side of the enclosure in the first half particularly, but once the Rangers opened out the game after the change of ends. Alex smith came more into the picture, and everything the left winger was asked to do he did well. Up to Saturday Hogg was never a striking success on the Clyde ground, but the Ibrox right winger was not bettered by any forward for shooting, and his fine turn of speed disclosed his efforts to the best advantage. He got the second goal when the second half was eight minutes gone, in quite a spectacular manner, and the shot was as good as Bennett’s and was going from the goalkeeper all the way. The chief difference in the team was the greater facility the Rangers showed for getting away quickly, and for keeping their heads on the run. In the second half there was nothing haphazard about their movements, and collectively they proved by their play what a grand side they are. All through they maintained an open defence, and they did not crowd themselves as did the Clyde men. They lay better in position, and proved more resourceful. If the game did not wholly satisfy the critical ones in the big crowd, it had its redeeming features, and none more pronounced than the real zeal and robustness of the players, more especially in that period when the sides were on an equality. Lock got less work than Grant, who had little chance to save the goals lost, and the backs, if not brilliant, were steady and reliable. Blair was the better of the home pair, and Campbell a shade the better of the Rangers’ couple. On the half-backs fell the brunt of the battle. Walker, McAndrew and Collins, on the Clyde side, may be given credit for courage and hard work well done, the centre-half being mainly responsible for Reid’s non-success at goal. Gordon in my opinion was the most skilful half-back afield, and his deceptive trailing tricks were delightful to watch. Galt worked tremendously hard, and some of Hendry’s deft passes to Smith revealed what a lot he has learned since he left Greenock. Forward the Rangers carried off the honours, and the outstanding successes of the line were Bennett and Hogg. The co-operation with the half-backs and following-up by the latter, was more in evidence than on the home side. The Clyde were not disgraced in the result, much as their enthusiastic followers desired a closer finish
