W Reid 29
Rippon 44
Match Information
Attendance: 16,000
Referee: R.T. Murray (Stenhousemuir)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
I did not expect to witness a great game at Hamilton, where the fate of the Rangers seemed to hang in the balance. Throughout the week the rainfall was abnormal. The tale of the wild gale overnight dried the pitch a bit, but the surface was ‘claggy’, and the ball got heavier as the game proceeded. Down the centre of the field the going was exceptionally heavy. The task set the inside men was severe, and fast-ground passed were out of the question. Asa test of stamina a more gruelling game could not be imagined. The play was hard, and wonderfully earnest, but the conditions made it impossible for players to show off their best in a nerve-racking contest, where the slightest slip at close quarters was of fateful purpose. Mistakes were bound to happen frequently. Not only was the ground holding but a high direct wind from goal to goal rendered doubly trying the lot of the side defending against it. The Hamilton men had to face the biting wind in the first half. The Rangers began confidently. The Academicals were equally resolute, and ding-dong struggle ensued for mastery. The 12,000 spectators watched every feature of the struggle with intense interest. The home defenders set themselves to stop the inside game of the Rangers. It was difficult to gauge the wind. After about eighteen minutes Goodwin slipped through the weakest part of the Academicals’ defence. Reid was close in waiting for the pass, and as Watson left his goal the Rangers centre just blocked the ball, and with the side of the boot slipped it quickly into the net. It looked a simple goal, but it was only a master centre like Reid who could grasp the possibilities of the opening. I do not blame the goalkeeper. He had to rick something when Miller was unable to help him. Reid’s unexpected move would have baffled most custodians. The goal settled the Rangers a bit, but a few minutes later they lost Bowie, who partially dislocated the left shoulder while charging an opponent. Bowie took no further part in the game, so that for an hour the Rangers were a man short. Favoured with better footing, the wing men made progress quicker than the other forwards. Thus light-weights Paterson, McNeil and McLaughlin were occasionally in the limelight with spirited runs and fast cross centres. Anxiously the Rangers battled away. One goal did not seem enough. Ere half-time the Academicals had the score levelled. A free kick out on the line against Ormonde gave Rippon a chance. The big centre surprised more than Gordon by getting his napper quickly to the ball at the side of the post. Only a man of his weight could have done it. The wild cheering that followed revealed that the Academicals supporters were not outnumbered. Men looked their watched repeatedly counting the minutes to half-time. The Academicals officials though the tie as good as won the interval arrived with the score equal. I entertained the opinion then that they were the more likely side to pull off a win. With the breeze on their favour they recommenced more confident. The Rangers defence did not waver. The backs lay well out and Brown, Logan and Gal started the spoiling tactics that Jarvie and McLaren had carried out so successfully in the first half. At one time it looked as if Hamilton would prevail. At another the Rangers. Allowing for Rippon’s overhead kick when the ball struck the top of the post, and that great drive from a free kick by the same individual when the ball was only prevented going into the net by the opportuneness of Ormonde, the Rangers had as desperate scoring chances. Once against the wind they forced four corner kicks in succession. As I shall have another opportunity I do not intend to labour on a wild scramble of a game. In the face of the improved play of the Academicals with the wind, it was signal feat for the Rangers to hold out a man short. That was the chief merit of their performance. I believe the Rangers could have improved a strong defence with Campbell at back. Ground and weather would just have suited the big fellow, to say nothing of the value of his leadership. The issue is still a shade doubtful, but the change of venue will certainly enhance the prospects of the Rangers. Both goalkeepers saved a few ticklish shots. Considering the conditions, the back play will pass muster, although I never saw Adam Miller so unreliable. The player in front of him, Eglinton, was also badly out of line. Watson did as well as Hempsey, and had one great save. Garrett not only kicked a good ball, but his defensive work was strong and forceful. Equally effective was the good work of McLaren and Jarvie, whose strength and stamina were invaluable at spoiling the combination of their doughty opponents. McNeil played to his reputation in the first half, when he went past Gordon like a flash and centred. In the second half he tried just a trifle too much to beat successive players. Close in no forward was more dangerous. I endorse the League’s opinion of this brilliant left-winger. McLaughlin was full of running, and twice put in a great shot. The inside men were hard grafters all, but the dash of the Rangers’ half-backs and the heavy ground prevented them showing of their best. They were never dwarfed and took a lot of watching. Gordon was strong and resourceful for the Rangers and Ormonde played fearlessly and showed lot of confidence going out to his man. Like the other trio, the half-backs had the most difficult task. None of them attempted to study passing. Brown and Galt were the most successful; Logan was untiring in the most difficult place of all – centre-half, as McLaren will testify. Paterson was the best of the Ibrox forwards whose work was highly meritorious considering the handicap after Bowie left. Goodwin followed in Paterson’s steps, but Bowie was distinctly clever up to his accident. Reid and Smith, like Rippon and Waugh, were shadowed all through. I expect the replay will produce a better game. It cannot eclipse Saturday’s game as a test of physical strength
