C Johnstone 38
A Venters 49, 74
Miller 68, pen 85
Match Information
Attendance: 10000
Referee: R.G. Benzie (Irvine)
Match Trivia
Dont let the score mislead you instead of telling the whole story it tells a tall story. It suggests that Falkirk were close behind the Light Blues, whereas they were actually beaten by a distance. What might have happened if Jerry Dawson hadnt brought off that superlative save from his namesake in the first few minutes is problematical. The fact remains, however, that once they took command of the situation and what was shortly after the big escape Rangers were always the suave craftsmen and Falkirk the plodding workmen. Of all the goals the second stands, out as the masterpiece. A typical Venters effort! You saw the dark-headed little Ranger barge through a heap of stragglers with the ball glued to his toe and letting fly with all the venomous power he commands, and McKie standing there, gaping, unable to move a limb, as it catapulted over his shoulder into the net. With the tally two-nil so shortly after the interval, it looked as if we could fold up our tents at any time. From that point until Willie Miller infused some life into the proceedings and made the result not quite the certainty it had appeared, Rangers squandered enough chances to win a whole series of games. It was a picture move between Gillick, Johnstone and Venters that tore the Falkirk defence to ribbons and restored the two-goal lead. How completely they wandered Willie Bruce and company can be gleaned from the fact that Venters had several seconds in which to chose his spot. Four minutes from the end a penalty goal by Miller again made it look like a close thing. It was a palpable handling infringement by Shaw, and I was surprised to see Johnny so vehemently protesting to referee Benzie. As director RG Campbell said in the Boardroom five minutes later Fitba players are queer fellow. I cannot fault either of the keepers, but the Brockville full-backs were slow and lacking in decision compared with their opposites. Number one wing half was Bobby Bolt. Gillick, Venters and Johnstone, despite the chances they missed were outstanding forwards. Mustnt close without a word of praise of young Rooney though a fine big boy with ideas, and the skill to carry them out! Law was the Bairns most effective unit, Dawson fairly good, Carruthers and Miller rather out of it
