McDougall (2)
F Speedie
Match Information
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: unknown - to be confirmed
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
What has always been considered to be the tit-bit of football season in Dundee came off at Dens Park on Saturday afternoon, when the Rangers met Dundee in a Scottish League fixture. There were almost 12,000 spectators present, and the weather conditions were ideal. It was quite evident before the start that great excitement prevailed amongst those present, and a great struggle for victory was eagerly expected. Memories of former encounters between the teams weighed in the minds of Dundees supporters, and the belief was generally expressed that the homesters would prove victorious. The hope was also strengthened by the fact that Dundee were successful in bringing away a point from the Western capital when playing the Celts, and also that the Rangers suffered defeat at the hands of the Kilmarnock team. It must therefore be admitted that there was some foundation for the rosy hopes held by the Dundee crowd. Indeed, during the first ten minutes of the game it seemed as if the homesters were to carry everything before them. They played with a vengeance, and Dickies abilities were well tested. The Dundee forwards attacked most persistently, and time and again they all but scored. Dickie was in great form, however and defied all efforts to overcome him. How the crowd cheered! Doubtless many of those resent thought when they witnessed the play of the men in white that the visitors were to be vanquished, but it was not to be. The game had been in progress for fully twenty minutes before the League champions got a look in. But when they did their style of play in front of goal was vastly different from that of their opponenets. They were always a smart lot, and on Saturday they fully maintained their reputation for clever play. McDougall opened the scoring for his side by sending in a shot from the wing, which struck Howes and rolled into the corner of the net. It was rather a soft goal, and Howes ought to have saved. The opening stages of the second half were similar to those of the first, Dundee again asserting themselves. Turnbull, Dundees new centre, played in brilliant style. On several occasions he dashed through the opposing defence, and at one time he was left with only the goalkeeper to beat. The crowd stood, with bated breath and watched him send in a terrific shot, but Dickie stopped the ball just on the goal line whilst he was lying on the ground. It was truly a marvellous save, Halkett and Atherton were also prominent. The Rangers outside right man, McDougall, is a grand shot. It is largely due to him that the visitors were enabled to run out the winners by three goals to nil, but nevertheless it can hardly be said that the score represents the run of the play. Fortune smiled upon the visitors, while the homesters experienced vile luck. The truth is only stated when it is said that the conquerors had no greater share of the game that the vanquished. As a matter of fact, Dundee pressed for longer periods that did their opponents, and had it not been for the splendid exhibition of goalkeeping given by the Rangers custodian, they would have scored on several occasions. Although the Rangers were supported by good goalkeeping, the same cannot be said pf the homesters. Howes was extremely nervous, and made a very poor show in goal. Two out of the three goals scored against him could have been easily saved, and doubtless that fact pressed rather heavily upon the other members of the team. Dundees forwards played a grand game, and there was not much to pick and choose between them and their opponents. Turnbull was the hero of the quintette, and he played by far the best game of any of the forwards on the field. Halkett and Atherton were also in grand form, and their shooting was a feature of the match. McDiarmid and McDermott also showed up well at times. The half-back line was rather weak, Robertson being the only one who appeared to be in form. Goldie and Sharp were in no way to blame for the defeat, as their kicking and tackling was all that could be desired. Goldie fairly excelled himself during the first half, whilst his partner played, as usual, a fine game. Howess play has already been criticised, and the less said about it the better. For the Rangers, Dickie was far and away the best man of the team, and his play was little short of marvellous. Undoubtedly he was the saviours of his side. Nick Smith and Crawford at back were both towers of strength, and it was a treat to watch their clean kicking and splendid resource and coolness. Of the half-back Gibson was the shinning light, although his partners both played a very effective game. In the front rank Hamilton, the famous centre, was prominent, and the way in which he fed his wings and the speed which he exhibited all went to prove that he is well worthy of the enviable reputation he has earned as a centre. McDougall and A Smith are also a very speedy couple, and their shooting was swift and true. Although not so outstanding as their comrades, Wilkie and Speedie were seen to advantage. During the progress of the match a collection was made on behalf of the Fife mine disaster, a sum of £19 12s being realised. The drawings at the gate amounted to £252, which along with £78 drawn at the stands, give a total of £330
