Match ended 0-0
Match Information
Attendance: 15000
Referee:
Matchday: Sunday
Match Trivia
As the score indicates, we received out first check here today, but it is safe to say that had the ground, which was as hard as bone, been conducive to good play, we would have triumphed. Still, out opponents deserve every credit for their commendable and plucky display. The tremendous heat told against our fellows, as did the fatiguing overnight journey. More than one Fleming and the labs in front appeared certain to score, but in Douglas they found a goalkeeper who simply refused to be beaten. This boy showed all that attributed of a brilliant keeper, and he would compare very favourably with many of the First League men at home. I was also greatly impressed by the play of McGill and McAuley, who more than once swung the game round when their chance of doing so appeared remote. Their tackling and first-time clearing fairly captivated the 15,000 onlookers. Muirhead, who came in to partner Morton, strove desperately to strike a decisive blow, but like Fleming and Cunningham, he had little success with his finishing effort’s. So little danger came from the American forwards that Buchanan, Meiklejohn, Craig and even the backs, were found among our own quintette, but that little bit of luck which would have meant so much evaded us. We were given a great ovation at the finish. We mean to go on without further reverse
Glasgow Rangers’ soccer eleven, champions of Scotland, struck a snag here this afternoon in their American tour, when the Fall Rover team played them to a scoreless draw at Mark’s Stadium before 15,000 fans, most of whom had attended the game to see the Rangers sweep the Fall River team off the map. They did not. They very nearly saw their champions meet with defeat, for the Fall River team did score one goal, or thought they did, when Johnny Ballantyne flipped one into the net, but owing to the fact that the said Johnny Ballantyne was away offside, it did not count. The Rangers got a great reception and paraded round the field led by a pipe band. Fall River’s team followed, getting steamed up behind a brass band. The game started off under beautiful skied and a nice breeze. The famous Light Blues took the play to start, but Fleming’s try was wide. Fall River came back at them and Blair headed past from their attack. Rangers forced a corner off McAuley, but it was cleared and then Fall River got going in their regular American League style. From a cross landed right on the spot by Tec White, it looked like they would score, but Tom Hamilton, in goal for the Rangers, made a really brilliant clearance and got laid out flat on his back during the melee. He resumed after attention. Johnny Ballantyne was penalised for Fouling and from the free kick Morton failed to reach a cross from Cunningham. It was early seen that the ground was not to the Rangers’ liking. They could not judge the bounce of the ball and time and again chances were lost through this fault. Rangers once more took possession of the play and Cunningham, who was their best forward, did some clever work to gain a corner which McGill cleared. Fall River, through White, got past the Rangers’ defence and they were rewarded with a corner, but Coyle sent past. Numerous bad falls occurred, and it was generally the Rangers players who got them. The Glasgow boys now attacked in earnest and McPherson saved Fall River from being scored on. With a clever back hook, he took the ball right out of the mouth of the goal. It was go to it now with all the players except wee Alan Morton, who might as well have remained in Glasgow for he certainly di not get into the play. Fall River players were all playing their heads off and taking all kinds of chances. Rangers forcing the game now and Cunningham drove one past. Back went Fall River at them, and Tom Hamilton made another marvellous save from White’s play. During the intermission Rangers held open court in the centre of the field. It was ‘old home week’ for hundreds of Scotties who were at the game. Harvey handled the ball right at the start of the second half, Archibald forced his way past McGill and forced a corner. Fall River cleared and then Archibald worked his way into a scoring position and let drive a rocket, but Jimmy Douglas rose to the occasion and stopped his drive. Johnny Ballantyne and Kelly dashed past Rangers’ halfbacks and Harvey was given a great chance but drove weakly past. Cunningham again engineered a nice Rangers play only to see Muirhead send past. Archibald again planted the ball for Muirhead to shoot and he did, but away over the bar. Fall River was in the game all the time, and from Coyle’s try Blair got his head on the ball but nodded it past the upright. Douglas came out and took the ball off Fleming’s toe and cleared. Hamilton again grabbed Blair’s shot and cleared. Cunningham to Archibald and back to Fleming looked good until McGill got his foot on the ball and averted danger. Fall River now launched a terrific attack on the Rangers’ goal. They did everything but get the ball into the net, forcing a corner which was fruitless. Hamilton in goal again was the saviour of the Light Blues when he snapped McPherson’s shot out of the air and punted clear. Another attack by Fall River saw Johnny Ballantyne land the ball in the net, but to the chagrin of the thousands of Fall River fans the referee gave him offside, which was the correct decision. Muirhead got one in at last, but Douglas fisted it out to safety. Blair worked his way clear and passed to Harvey, who rounded the right fill-back and passed the ball back to Blair and he headed it past. Morton at last got his chance and was setting sail when McPherson nipped in and blocked, and all was safe again for Fall River. The break of the game now came to Fall River. Bobby Blair got clear through and then zoomed the ball past the upright. It was the last chance the Fall River boys had, and the Rangers contented themselves with playing it safe. The Marksmen did attack, but nothing happened to cause any undue interest until they got a corner in the last minute of the game. White’s hot was a corker but struck the crossbar and came back into play again and the game was over. Once more the Fall River team had stopped the winning streak of an invading team of soccer stars. Corinthians, Pilgrims, Third Lanark All Stars, Uruguay and Sparta all hit the barrier at Fall River’s ground and now the famous Rangers of Glasgow have their name added to the list. As a game it did not come up to expectations. Combination play was at a premium and the outstanding features of the game were the display of the rival goalkeepers, Cunningham’s work and the defence offered by Gray and Hamilton. They were cool all the time and with Meiklejohn really gave a first-class exhibition of how soccer can be played.
