W Reid 44
A Brown >45
Match Information
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: G.W. Hamilton (Motherwell)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The Light blues ought to be thoroughly satisfied with the outcome of their visit to Douglas Park, for besides carrying away the honours of the game, there shared in the biggest gate even taken at the old ducal town enclosure, the returns showing an excess of some £20 over the previous best figures, taken in the Scottish Cup semi-final a couple of seasons ago. Altogether there must have been upon 16,000 people with in the enclosure. The Rangers won by reason of their ability to take their scoring chances, for the Academicals, who put up the pluckiest of opposition, had quite as many likely openings, but their sharpshooters quite failed to turn them to account. Once Rippon clean missed the ball as he drove for an open goal; again he and Anderson allowed Lock to leave his goal and throw himself on the ball after they had cleared the Rangers’ backs; while on a third occasion, the ex-Brentford man forced his way clean through, only to have the ball nipped from his tows by Gordon three yards from goal. One could not but admire the resolute work of the home backs. During all the opening portion they defied the best laid scheme of the champions’ attack in the most resolute fashion, and it was an unfortunate happening that, after having done so well, they should lose a goal in the last minute before the interval. The ball had been carried up by Brown, who swung it high across goal. The ball looked like rolling past when Hogg dashed up and hooked it into the goal-mouth to Reid, who popped in an easy shot towards Watson. Just as the keeper bent to gather the ball, Jarvie dashed across and the sphere touched his heel and glided away from Watson’s reach. The Rangers’ second goal was the outcome of a run and cross by Hogg. The ball went to Brown, who headed into the goal-mouth, and it was easy for Reid to do the rest. The local lads battled hard to the end, but they had no luck at all, indeed they almost lost a third goal when Hogg got clean away from Gordon’s pass and netted. A consultation between the referee and one of the linesman resulted in the knocking-off of the point, the big Englishman having apparently been out of play when he got the ball. The winners did not strike one as a great side – at least, they have yet to touch the superlative form shown by them in their earlier matches of last season. The absence of Bowie and Smith from their attack will of course, have reduced its effectiveness, and in the match under review there was an absence of that craft and resourcefulness which caused opposing defenders so much anxiety last year. Reid although he scored both goals, was not so much in the picture as usual, Jarvie shepherding him closely. Bennett was the pick of the line, but although he gave Brown innumerable opportunities it was late in the game before this young man gave indications of the ability he possesses. Montgomery wrought hard, but Hogg has often been more effective. The Rangers were splendidly served at half-back. No player on the field compared with James Gordon. Alike in attack and defence the International’s work was magnificent. He took the ball in all positions, got it quickly under control and made his passes with admirable accuracy. His nimble movements enabled him repeatedly to bring relief to his side. Galt was out on a mission, and the home centre (Rippon) was shadowed throughout. Bowie in the injured Hendry’s place did fairly well. The back play of the winners was a distinct improvement of that of the previous week. Both fielded and kicked admirably. Lock dealt cleverly with anything that came his way. The Academicals attack failed in penetrative power, and their weakness in this direction brought about their defeat. McNeil was the outstanding figure in the line, and McBride up till the time he met with a slight mishap, lent him fine support. Rippon, hampered by the almost constant attentions of Galt, got little scope, but he passed out to either wing unselfishly, and towards the end he was going strongly. The right wing hardly touched expectations. The Hamilton halves did splendidly. Jarvie wrought tremendously hard all through, and will be a valuable man for the Douglas Park eleven. He tackled finely and forced the play in the second half in wonderful fashion. Eglinton was little behind his captain, his placing being excellent. The local lad, McNamee, did splendidly in his first big engagement. Garrett’s display at right back was one of the features of the match. Nothing came wrong to the Colburn man, and he was repeatedly cheered for his manner of dealing with the wing opposed to him. He had a capital partner in Miller. In goal Watson did everything that was possible, and was unfortunate in losing the first goal as he did.
