T Cairns
A Bennett
McCulloch
Match Information
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: G.H. McKenzie (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
At Brockville Park, Falkirk before 12,000 spectators. McCulloch scored first for the ‘Bairns,’ but Cairns equalised before half-time. In the second portion Bennett added No 2 for the Rangers and Reid notched a third after a clever run. Last season Rangers lost at Falkirk in surprise fashion by 4-1, but on Saturday they got their revenge, when they won by 3-1. On the run of play and chances, I would not say they deserved such a victory; it was merely a case of the side that took chances capturing both points. The ‘Light Blues’ in some positions were very disappointing; in fact, at back, Half-back, and forward strengthening is still required. In the first half the Falkirk forwards simply went through the Glasgow defence as they liked, and had Robertson on one occasion accepted an easy opening I am afraid the Ibrox men would have left the points behind them, because they were shaping very badly at the time. McNaught was substituted by JS Thomson, from Arbroath, and both regular backs were absent from the ‘Bairns’’ team, so that the Rangers’ win was no great feat. The sun in the first half troubled the visitors, who often allowed the ball to hit or pass them owing to losing sight of it. Some of the mistakes looked so foolish that the spectators laughed derisively, but it was no joking matters for the unfortunate players. The ground, too, played queerly, and no fewer than three balls were used during the match. JS Thomson sent across the centre from which McCulloch scored, and shortly afterwards Smith did a similar duty for Rangers, when Cairns equalised. That was the tale at half-time. In the second half Alex Bennett romped round Henderson is his best style, and ‘cutely flicked a bouncing ball past Stewart after three Rangers had failed to find the net. Then Morrison was hurt, and after he resumed Smith pushed the ball past him, then turned it over to Reid, who raced on and beat Stewart for a third goal. That finished Falkirk’s pretensions, because the ‘Bairns’’ never looked like getting on terms, though Thomson had one or two meritorious tries. Taking the winners first, Lock made one or two slips which luckily did not result in damage, while he saved many fine shots. Kelso could make little of McCulloch or Glancy, but Craig defended finely, and was seldom at fault. He often saved the situation. Brown was just fair to middling at right half, and Logan dribbled too much to be outstanding. Gordon kept his place well, and despite a bad knock he was the best half. Cairns and Bennett did not combine so well as Bowie and Bennett would have done, though the inside man worked very hard. Bennett played finely whenever he got a chance. Reid waited for openings and took one. Bowie and Smith often had fine raids, but I think the ex-Queen’s Parker does best at inside-right. Veteran Smith played as lively as a youngster on trial. Stewart had no chance with the three goals; Henderson appealed to me as the better back, because Morrison was too much inclined to ‘mix it’ to be an entire success. I like Reilly at centre-half, if only for his fine headwork. When the ball was in the air he invariably got it. Both Morrison and McDonald played a good game. McCulloch at inside-left was the best individual forward on the field, his touched being quite up to the Croal standard. Glancy too, did well, and had the measure of Kelso all the time. At centre-forward Robertson played the part of heavy dragoon with a fair success. Thomson of Arbroath is not a McNaught, though he is distinctly promising player; while Gibbons proved a capital backer-up. Rangers, as already said, were somewhat lucky to win by a two-goal margin. They have often done better and only managed to draw
