McAuley 15
Main 22
Match Information
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: W Webb (Glasgow)
Matchday: Wednesday
Match Trivia
Rangers took leadership in the Scottish League race at Douglas Park. They merited victory but they almost conceded a point. Perhaps I should put it another way. Hamilton, on account of their valiant efforts in the second half, when assisted by breeze and that nasty swirling snow, almost won a point. Had the Academicals scored some minutes before time few of the spectators would have grudged the home lot the little bit of comfort that a point from Rangers conveys. In the first half Rangers kept Hamiltons defence on the stretch. It was interesting to observe the effect of Rangers compulsory changes. McAulay came in for Marshall at inside-right, and Marshall crossed to onside-left to take the appointed Venters position. Venters was down with flu. Kennedy, not Craig, occupied Meiklejohns position at right-half. Marshall worked like a Trojan. I dont think I have ever seen him have so much of the ball nor have I seen him so often robbed. Impetuous. Heading along without realising that an opponent was simply waiting for that header. Turning here and there when the direct flick to an unmarked colleague was demanded. Passing when a colleague was guarded by Hill or Wallace or Young. McAulay struck a different note. Right away he tumbled to the requirements. Now passing to Main after beating his man. Next going through on his own when the opponents obviously expected him to part. McAulay was the genius of the forward ten. No one could compete with him. His brilliant goal after a quarter of an hour immediately imprinted the hallmark on this lad. His subsequent play merely further indented the mark on the gold of his play. Hamiltons changes cannot be said to have effected improvement, at any rate in the first half. McLaren and King, on the left wing, failed to strike a game. That seemed strange to me, as the pair are very well acquainted. Wallace, Hill and Thomson worked hard enough, but they got mighty little support from their forwards, with the exception of Wilson. The centre harassed Simpson, who nevertheless was imperturbable. Not a bit surprised was anybody when, seven minutes after the opening score, Main raced past Bulloch and Hill very neat run this! and drove the ball past Shevlin. Had it not been for the thought that Hamilton would have the wind in the second half we should have considered the game all over bar the shouting. But Wilson made up his mind that Rangers should not turn about with a commanding advantage. Eight minutes from the interval he took charge, rather awkwardly I thought, of a ball slithered by Simpson. He was but four yards from goal. A toed ball beat Dawson. Though Hamilton impressed by their cup-game-like advances in the second half, there was a power and decisiveness about the Rangers tackling and clearance that kept Hamilton from the danger zone, except on three or four occasions. Wilson continued to be the danger man. Park, on the right wing, and King on the left, footered many chances. McLaren had two efforts that, with punch, might have counted. But apart from these there was nothing for the Hamilton people to enthuse over. My weigh-up of the players will be brief. Hamilton had a great goalkeeper in Shevlin. His cutting out of crosses, low and high, delighted me. The backs and halfs cannot be reasonably criticised adversely. I have mentioned that Wilson alone possessed the dash requisite to down Rangers defence. Dawson, Gray and McDonald played a useful game. But McDonald surely doesnt require to palm down a ball to save his citadel. Kennedy and Simpson stood out all the time. Brown, like Marshall, appeared less powerful than usual on the heavy going. Main and Nicholson had bright movements even in the dismal conditions. Smith distinguished himself principally by one wonderful quick wheel and shot that was worthy of a goal
