B Carr 40
W Reid >45
Match Information
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: J Bell (Dundee)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Interest in the visit of the League leaders to the ducal town was intensified through the reappearance of Hogg after his term of suspension. A couple for well-filled special trains from the city, and a full turnout of the Light Blues brake clubs, helped to swell the gathering to quite 10,000, and it was not surprising that the burly Englishman had a great reception from the admirers on turning out. The home team included the ex-Albion Rover, Hemphill at outside left vice McNeil, while the Rangers had Galt and Alex Smith away. Campbell was played at centre-half, Ormonde partnering Richmond at back, while Brown got the vacancy in the attack. If the players moved somewhat gingerly to start with they gradually warmed to their work, and despite the difficult conditions, the quality of the play was fairly satisfactory, with occasional flashes of individual brilliance which served to maintain the interest of the crowd to the very end. The Rangers came nearest scoring in the early stages. Reid had the ball nipped from his toes by A miller when he had a clear run in on Watson, while Bennet, with a capital opening, found the ball came to him awkwardly, and he lofted it high over the bar. JH McLaughlin was the first to make ground for the local side, and with Richmond well beaten, Lock brought off a fine one-handed save. A thrilling incident followed at the other end. Following a movement by Bennett and Brown the younger player swung over a good ball, and from it Brown made an opening for Hogg, who found himself in possession with only J Watson to thwart him. The right winger shot in with terrific force, but the Hamilton keeper brought off a magnificent save. Sound repelling work by the Academicals halves and backs kept the prospective champions at bay, and there was tremendous enthusiasm when, following a long return by Garrett, which Richmond failed to dispose of, the Hamilton inside forwards got possession, and with the Rangers’ back hard pressed, Carr slipped clear and put the ball low down into the corner of the net. In the closing stages of the first half both sides were very earnest, and Carr was heavily charged by Hogg and had to receive attention from the trainer. The Blantyre youth was able to turn out in the second half, although he was palpably suffering. The Rangers almost equalised in the first minute, James Watson just fingering a fast drive over the bar. For a good time the ‘Light blues’ were very troublesome; but the Hamilton men defended dourly, although mush of the shooting of the visitors was wild and lacking in direction. So well did the home halves shape that it seemed as if the Rangers were to fail; but ultimately J Watson had a foul given against him for carrying, and from it Reid scrambled the ball through from a very suspicious position. The homesters appealed vigorously against the granting of the point, but the decision went against them. To make matters worse the Hamilton keeper injured himself in his effort to save, and was assisted off. Fortunately he soon came round, and was able to return to his post. The Academicals came away strongly as the end drew near, and Lock had to be very watchful. JH McLaughlin placed a corner faultlessly, and there was some very hot work in the visitors’ goal area before Campbell got the ball away. In an endeavour to pierce the visitors’ defence Waugh and Tom miller changed placed, but they found the task beyond them. On the whole, neither side had much reason to complain, for if the visitors had a preponderance of the aggressive work, the resolute play of the home defenders was deserving of some reward. Jas Watson’s display in the Hamilton goal was practically faultless; and it was hard on him that in evading the attentions of Reid and Hogg, he should gave away the free kick which enabled the Ibrox men to draw level. The home backs, as a pair were superior to Ormonde and Richmond. Both were very cool and daring, and both kicked a good length and fielded the bounding ball with almost unvarying accuracy. The Hamilton halves, too, were very sound. Phil Watson kept a tight hold on Reid, and Purdie’s work, especially in the in the second half, was of great value to his side. No half-back on the field bettered Eglinton. Opposed to a wing capable of outplaying and out-manoeuvring players of much greater reputation, the Motherwell lad was magnificent. His tackling was clean and clever; his control of the ball on the hard surface was wonderful, and he could generally be depended on to part with it to the best advantage. In the first gal the Academicals forwards combined well, and there was generally danger in their raids. After Carr’s mishap, however, the line went out of gear, and their work in the second half was patchy. Till he met with his injury Carr was the outstanding player in the line. He distributed the ball well, and his ground passing was nicely executed. Hemphill played his best game since he went to Douglas Park. Tom Miller was hardly so much in the game as usual; but Waugh was better than at Kilmarnock the previous week. JH McLaughlin was very earnest in all he did, but his anxiety carried him out of play too often in the second half. In the Rangers’ goal Lock was safe. Ormonde was the better back. He timed his returns nicely, and put plenty of power behind them. On the other hand Richmond repeatedly fluked his kicking, and was fortunate that damage did not accrue from one or other of his mistakes. Gordon was easily the pick of the Rangers halves, although neither Campbell nor Hendry did badly. Gordon, although suffering from a knock in the second half, backed up his wing nicely, while at the same time he varied his play by slinging the ball into the centre in a manner that caused uneasiness in the home camp. The Ibrox forwards failed where they can usually be relied upon – in shooting. Reid, however, was never given very much room; and one or other of the opposing defenders could generally be seen in attendance on him. The inside forwards were clever without being deadly, and Bennett might have turned to account a fine opening which fell to him in the second half. Hogg was anxious to shine, and there was danger from his fast crosses. Brown as Alex Smith deputy, gave a fine display, but he found difficulty in getting past Garrett, the home back
