Fleming 20
Match Information
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: P Craigmyle (Aberdeen)
Matchday: Wednesday
Match Trivia
Rangers were obviously not out for spoils at Tannadice Park and were content with a small margin of victory gained after the first twenty-five minutes. Had the Dundee United defenders not been stubborn and ready to tackle at the slightest sign of danger, the score might have been greater. Al through the Ibrox side were the controllers of the play, and by never really going all out they kept incident in the game down to a minimum. Goal-getting opportunities in the first half were certainly few and far between, and Fleming’s goal did something to relieve the monotony. Earlier on, Marshall, deputising from Brown, had a long shot which McHugh tipped over, and at the other end Ross shot over the bar. Fleming’s counter came from the most deliberate shot of the game. With Findlay and Taylor in front of him, he steadied himself after a solo run and manoeuvring into position, shot between them giving McHugh no chance. A little later Cameron struck the foot of the post, and the equaliser seemed in prospect when Henderson took a free-kick. The ex-Ranger’s shot, however, was too high. During the whole of the first half Rangers proved themselves by far the steadier lot on the hard ground, although ‘Jock’ Ross showed better control of the ball than anyone else afield. The United were at their best during the opening stages of the second period, and the front line put in some pressure at the goalmouth. Hamilton had some difficulty in getting rid of a shot from Harley, and at both ends there were more chances of scoring than before. McHugh saved well when Muirhead took a free-kick but was given very little rest afterwards. There was more dash in United this half, but the kick-and-rush business was overdone by the forwards. They were ragged in front of Hamilton, and seldom had any disturbing effect on the Ibrox defenders. The visitors were always the cleverer side. Of their forwards, Fleming and Marshall were the most dangerous, although the centre did not get very much rope from Gardiner. The wing men might have shown more shooting enterprise. All the halfs were good, and the rear defence was never ruffled. On the United side, Henderson was the best of the forwards, and Ross and Gardiner both did well in the intermediate line. Taylor, United’s much fancied left back, gave a great display and put in a power of hard work. McHugh did well to let through only one goal.
