A Morton
Match Information
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: A McMahon (Motherwell)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Rangers were the visitors to Douglas Park, and there was a record crowd to welcome them. The Academicals were early on the move, but the treacherous pitch nullified a good opening. The Rangers steadied, and soon were forcing matters at the home goal, but the Hamilton defence was giving nothing away. The home team bow took up the running, and Hannah struck the crossbar with a nice shot. Hanlon caught the rebound and drove hard, but McCandless’ head got in the way of the ball, which was slashed down the park. Cairns and Cunningham both had tries, but White and bad marksmanship saved the Accies. Up to the interval there was no scoring, and neither team could claim to be better than the other. On resuming McMillan was carried off the field, owing to an injury sustained in a collision with Dixon. The Rangers forced matters. A nice movement resulted in Alan Morton scoring a grand goal. With the return of McMillan, the home team forced matters, but Manderson and McCandless saw that they got no opportunity to shoot. It was a fast and gruelling game throughout, and the Accies, with a little luck, should have shared the points. It was a stirring game, and the players gave a surprisingly good account of themselves. At time the thrills were reminiscent of a Cup tie, and it was early evident that the Academicals had to some extent benefited by their week’s sojourn at Troon. White was in magnificent form between the uprights, and it is difficult to see how the selectors can ignore the claims of this lad to international honours. White and Kerr were very reliable. In the middle line the outstanding man for the Academicals was Ellis Hall, who was more aggressive than usual, and this was all to the good. Thomson, the Benburb junior, was set a difficult task, but he showed no signs of nervousness, and repeatedly gave glimpses of outstanding ability. All through the piece Purdie was a resolute and hard grafter. In attack the Douglas Parkers were best served by McMillan, Cullen and Hanlon. McMillan seems assured of a great future, and his play delighted the Hamilton crowd. Rangers were unmistakably a great side. Fore and aft they are splendidly balanced, and in a game which called for the expenditure of the last ounce of energy they never spared themselves
