Livingstone
J May
Collins
Skene
Match Information
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: R.T. Murray (Stenhousemuir)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
On a day when Scots the world over pat tribute to the genius of Scotia’s Bard, and the cauld blasts of winter skirled ominously and furiously from the south-east, a muster of shivering humanity, almost 20,000 strong, rendered homage to the King of Games on a portion of the old battle ground in Falkirk, where the deeds of Wallace added brightness in the story of Scotland’s fight for freedom. Cup day provided an unenviable test of human endurance for those eager representative of the Falkirk and Rangers, who strove with might and main for the glory of their club. Their’s was no ordinary task. Underfoot the ground was sloppy and slushy. Pools dotted the playing surface of Brockville Park, and following a frosty crust the rain soak on Saturday, and the movements of the players completed the ruin of a pitch that had been carefully nursed all week. I harboured the notion when I saw the state of the ground, that the Rangers would – depart from the chosen side, and play RG Campbell centre forward, and possibly substitute Speirs for Dickie on the right, as the conditions were suited for a player of Campbell’s sturdier physique and individual traits. Subsequent impressions of the game did not alter my opinion. The Ibrox selectors, however elected to stand or fall by the team picked. The early stages of the game found the Rangers in difficulties. The forwards did not grasp the essential tactics to cope with rushing opponents, who emboldened with greater courage inspired by a goal scored by Collins form half-back within three minutes, maintained a more open formation and kept driving the ball forward. Few clubs play a cup game like Falkirk. Every member of the eleven is as earnest worker, and skill is so equally balanced in the various divisions that every unit trusts the other. Making for goal those restless Stirlingshire players garbed for the nonce in the orange and black beloved by the Wolverhampton Wanderers, gave the onlooker the impression of being more dangerous than the Rangers. In the outfield their opponents got no peace. The Rangers forwards attempted the short passing game. Their passes frequently fell short or were intercepted. Unlike the Falkirk forwards, if they got the pass they made to dribble a few yards in order to ‘set’ the combination. Even Alex Smith zealous as any, with all his wealth of experience thought he could play the wing game for dry ground on a heavy one. Ere he had gone a yard either Reid or Leishman sailed into him, and the ball either went into touch or to the feet of a waiting Falkirk player. Livingstone alone in that light blue line seemed to know exactly what was wanted, and in forcing the game and slipping the ball low or wide as occasion demanded he was not bettered on the field. In the first twenty minutes Falkirk looked as if victory was to be theirs. From goal out they were the more reliable side. Forward they did not crowd together as the Rangers did, and they shot with less regard to time, but with a just appreciation of the whereabouts of the goalposts. Play was fast and furious, and the pace surprising in the circumstances. Gradually the Rangers recovered their wits. The first indication of betterment was revealed when Kyle and Livingstone dropped behind and gave the extreme wingers and centre more scope to work. The best bit of forward play in the match succeeded the move when Kyle carried the ball up the centre of the field and passed it on to Speirs, who shot. Falkirk were now less aggressive, and kept for a spell to their own territory. A curling shot from Alex Smith had Allan beaten when Livingstone rushed in and made the long desired equalising goal a certainty. This occurred when the game was 33 minutes old. Five minutes later Clyde Skene got beautifully away, and manoeuvring quickly into position after eluding the back, he enticed Newbigging partially out, and shot low and hard at the angle. This second goal – the best of the match – restored the equanimity of the locals. So fast was the pace that the next minute Alex Smith almost levelled matters, but halftime found Falkirk leading by 2 goals to 1. In the second half the order was reversed. The Rangers staggered the Falkirk defence with the impetuosity of their rushes. The home defence floundered for a bit, and fell into the errors in attack that married the play of the Light Blues at the start of the game. A rearrangement of the inside position brightened the Rangers attack. Speirs went inside right, Kyle to the centre, and George Livingstone revived with Smith a Scottish left wing at Hampden against England two years ago. Even though Kyle in his new position spoiled a brilliant dash through by Dickie, who ought to have been permitted to retain the ball after beating his men so ably, it seemed but a matter of time ere they would again draw level. Like all teams, when a goal down in a cup struggle, the knowledge of it made the Ibrox men over-anxious not to throw the slightest-chance away, and their extra carefulness brought then nothing but the barren consolation of ‘hard lines’. The game lost nothing in strenuous endeavour on both sides. Falkirk held their own and threatened danger repeatedly until twenty minutes from time, when from Smith’s corner kick John May headed the goal which made sure a replay at Ibrox Park next Saturday. All dander was not over, however Davidson sprinted down, and with the shot of the match, struck the inside of the post, and the ball rebounded off the other. This was the ‘let-off’ of the match – as Tom Maley put it – but nearing the end Skene almost did the trick. A bustling hard game it was, with the conditions all against skilful movement, and a draw was a fitting climax to a struggle that did not disgrace either side. Falkirk were the nipper and a shade the more dashing lot, and to the credit of both teams, it was a fair sporting encounter. Memories of Ibrox in December, if not forgotten by Falkirk men, were never once reflected in the course of the game. Allan was the better goalkeeper. Leishman was the best back on the field, and Craig a good second. Gibson was more reliable than Hendry, who only found his form in the last twenty minutes. Collins was the most consistent half on the field, and the Falkirk trio excelled the Rangers for uniform steadiness and strength. John May did good work for the Rangers, and in covering up his comrades he gave the others a demonstration of a true half-back game. Barrie justified his position in the team by this judicious play, but to a better centre half than a wing. Merit was better distributed in the Falkirk attack. McTavish was in the home team what Livingstone was in the Rangers, and the inside trio – McTavish, Skene and Mitchell – played in harmony. The centre enhanced a rapidly acquired reputation for effectiveness and Davidson delighted the onlookers with his speedy dribbling and well-judged centres. Simpson was dangerous when he got clear, but that was seldom, so thoroughly did Craig attend to him. After Livingstone, who was top-hole player in the 22, Kyle was the Rangers most serviceable forward, and he controlled the ball splendidly. Smith was as eager as any, and it off his play the Rangers scored twice. Dickie was plucky and clever, while Speirs was enterprising, but to studied in his movements. In general ship Falkirk outrivaled their opponents, and for the greater portion of the struggle, nearly every member of the team seemed to have a ‘Light Blue’ marked out for special attention
