RG Campbell
J May
Hunter
Match Information
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: R.T. Murray (Stenhousemuir)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
In many respects it was a remarkable game at Dens Park, and the Rangers confounded local opinion by snatching the laurels of the contest from a team almost invincible on its own ground. Play started at a furious pace; so anxious were the players to gain an early advantage. Despite heavy rain in the forenoon the pitch was in wonderful food condition. Rangers who had Campbell in the centre, had the best of the opening exchanges, and from a brilliant bit of corner work by Alex Smith, Campbell headed a goal for them in 22 minutes. Four minutes later May had the good fortune to collar a return, which Kyle judiciously allowed to go to him, and in a twinkling Crumley again found himself beaten by a low ground drive. This was great encouragement for the visitors. The play up to this time had been splendid, but afterwards it became more desultory. Hard knocks were numerous, Gordon and Jeffray both being at the wars, while Campbell had his stocking torn. As the game progressed Dundee gradually improved, but the Rangers maintained their two-goals lead to the interval. Dundee made a brave restart, and hemmed in the opposition, but without success. The first real chance went to the Rangers through Kyle, who at the end of a fine run in shot behind weakly, but happened to be brought down by Jeffray. The referee thought the action intentional and gave a penalty, which was bungled by Campbell. With a quarter of an hour gone Dundee got a fine goal through Hunter, the ball landing conveniently to the centre’s head from Fraser’s pass. After this the pace became absolutely furious. So hot did Dundee make the running that the opposition was compelled to draw Campbell to the rear. This was the real crisis of the game. McDermott who had been playing splendidly had the misfortune to be hurt, and he left the field, but returned lame in the course of ten minutes. The end found Dundee beaten. They were the fresher side in the later stages, and looked more like winners than losers. Such goalkeeping as McArthur had to do he did well, but the backs were very ordinary performers. Jackson kicked in erratic fashion and was palpably wrongly placed on the left. But the halves were great. They stuck to the home forwards like terriers and simple declined to be shaken off. Of the three Galt was perhaps the most anxious and persistent, but May gave a masterly display, and Gordon was by no means lacking. Forward the best work came from the left, which was well plied with the ball, Smith and Kyle especially the former being in great form. Campbell made a harassing, but by no means elegant centre, but Speirs and Hamilton were a useful combination, and some of the best incidents of the day were due to the former. As to Dundee all three halves were outstanding. Forward the best work came from the left, where Fraser’s crosses were a great source of danger. Up to the time of his injury McDermott’s individual work was grand. Crumley had no chance with the goals lost, and did some clever saving. Chaplin too kicked well, but McKenzie found Kyle and Smith too much for him. His experience was by no means singular, as Smith makes a mess of most of our Scottish right-backs
