A Venters 40, 60
Brown
Match Information
Manager: No Permanent Manager
Attendance: unknown - to be confirmed
Referee: M.C. Hutton (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Falkirk took their first point for eight seasons off Rangers at Brockville yesterday and would not have been flattered had they taken both. Indeed, they had themselves to blame, especially the forwards, who seemed to be timid in trying a shot. In the Katter stages, they changed Anderson to centre in place of Keyes, and it was then they got their two goals. On the other hand, though having less of the play, Rangers carried more danger. The Ibrox machine creaked a lot, but they kept the straighter road to goal, and could travel further in a couple of moves than Falkirk could do in a dozen. It was a good, hard game, inclined to be tough at times, but the crowd relished the excitement. There were incidents that took the breath away, notably at Rangers goal for instance, when Cheyne headed out from Brown on the goal-line, and when Gray did likewise from Keyes. This Keyes effort presented an extra-ordinary scene. Simpson had fallen in the tackle and illegally tried to stop Keyess progress. The referee blew for a free-kick though Keyes went on towards goal for a shot. Even more extraordinary was the scene a minute or so from half-time. Keyes was clean through and looked a certain scorer. Some of the Rangers players drew attention to a linesman waving for shy, but the referee signalled to play on. But Keyes stopped along with the rest, instead of playing to the whistle, and a glorious chance was gone. Rangers fans will note with some alarm that they lost a two-goal lead, on top of losing a three-goal advantage at Arbroath. Falkirk had about two-thirds of the play in the second half. Of course, it must be remembered that Rangers had Shaw, Brown and Main absent, and they were missed. Rangers owed their goals to the opportunism of Venters. For minutes before the interval, he judged the flight of a long free-kick from McKillop to a fraction and headed past the outrushing Wilson, who was indiscreet in his timing. This gave Rangers a half-time lead they scarcely deserved. More ineffective Falkirk attack early in the second half, and away went Rangers unexpectedly to put on number two. Kinnear made the goal in a clever manoeuvre and pass, but Venters fully shares the credit by his promptitude in shooting the ball home. Five minutes later Falkirk reopened the issue with a freakish goal. The players were gathered for a corner-kick in Rangers goal area. The ball travelled across to McPherson, who shot. The ball might have hit anybody, but it chanced to strike Brown and go into the net. Eight minutes from time Falkirk were peers. Keyes clean beat Jenkins with a slashing shot which crashed against the post. Anderson was on the spot to return the ball into the net. There would have been more goals but for the splendid keeping of Wilson and Jenkins. Rangers are fortunate in having such a deputy, and so are Falkirk. Both pairs of backs put in a power of work, but it was sheer hard graft with so little that was elusive. The half-backs play was not distinguished, only Bolt doing much forcing, beside being the only Falkirk player ready for a goa at goal. Simpson was a big man for Rangers in the second half though earlier he fell foul of the crowd with his treatment of Keyes. The Falkirk forwards were clever enough up to a point, but it was the vital point of finishing. Rangers attack was a queer mixture. Venters worked himself almost to a standstill and was the outstanding player. Kinnear was tantalising, very good or very bad. The Referee Handled a difficult game firmly and fairly and was always decisive in his awards. Some thought he might have kept better up with play
