B McPhail 45
J White 57
Match Information
Attendance: 48,895
Referee: W Bell (Motherwell)
Matchday: Wednesday
Match Trivia
This was one of the most thrilling Cup-ties I have seen a game punctuated by exciting incidents; distinguished by much astonishingly brilliant play; productive of provocative decisions; and ending in favour of the slightly better team. The 43,453 spectators will remember it principally for the to them inexplicable decisions of Referee Bell; for the sparkling touch-line exhibition of Main and R Johnstone; and for the perfect display of Anderson, the Hearts right-back. Most important must be considered the doubtful decisions, those that were actually heatedly discussed after the game. First, the incident, twenty-two minutes after the start, when Hearty tripped Main in the penalty area. If ever an action called for the spot kick, this one did. I am absolutely clear about that. Quite clear, to about what happened. Main tricked Hearty by a peculiar flick, flashed ahead, well in the area. Hearty shot out a foot from behind the winger and touched him on the leg. Main fell on his face. It was impossible not to see what happened from where I sat. Not one player was within yards of the pair. But no award was given. Second, the McPhail opening goal, one minutes from the interval. In my view, Craig handled the ball. But I think the ball played Craig. Like everyone else, I saw Hearts defence stop. The roar, I considered, must have prevented our hearing the whistle. As it happened, there had been no whistle, even though the referee was directly opposite Craig at the time. Just as Craig had the ball at his foot, I observed McPhail quickly get off his mark. And this will be disputed when that ball was hooked ahead towards Harkness, McPhail was just onside. When he connected with his head, he was yards ahead! But he was not out of play. If the referee considered that the ball had played Craig, he was right to allow the goal. Third, the incident as the end approached when McPhail had a goal chalked off. Once again there is an if in the dispute. Main took a delightful pass well into the penalty area to a few yards from the bye-line, in fact and whipped over an excellent cross. Smith and McPhail commenced their run from a position actually in line with the right winger, McPhail connected almost at the foot of the upright, appeared to actually hit the post, then in falling urged the ball through. Now, if the referee chalked off the goal for offside, he was in my view wrong. If McPhail committed some infringement say touching the ball through with his arm or hand after he fell, then I Connock speak to it, as McPhails body was between us and the ball. So much for the provocative stuff. About the game itself now, and the players. Rangers did their utmost to use the wind to advantage. But with high balls up the centre Smith as often as not was beaten by J Johnston. When a low ball arrived at Smith, Johnston almost invariably forced him to the left, where Anderson anticipated most of the moves. Hearts played frequently brilliantly against the wind. Not quite with the same tactics as employed by the Light Blues. Rather, for a long time, with the spear-head thrust White darting ahead dangerously after a Walker slip or a long up-the-middle punt. But Hearts seldom produced football of the artistry of rangers in the first half. Delightful inter-passing seemed to draw the watchful Hearts defenders out of position. After Hearts equalised in the second half, Rangers defence underwent terrific pressure. Desperate clearing by Gray and Simpson alone saved the situation. Rangers leading goal altered the aspect. From that time the Ibrox men had the better of the exchanges. I award the bouquet to Main. This lad played a wonderful game, sprightly, fast, completely confident. He had the most energetic man afield to support him Dr Marshall. What rotten luck that that early shot of Marshalls should hit the upright! Smith put in a power of work, always harassing, always ready with the shoulder, and occasionally sending a precise pass to Main or Fleming. McPhail gets credit for his goal and his almost goal. But he was not nearly so effective as Marshall. Fleming played usefully. But, oh, what a miss he made when, with no one near him, he shot past! Still, he did get a goal, a good one from a Main cross twelve minutes from time. Simpson, defending tenaciously, excelled Craig and Brown. Dawson, Gray and McDonald had no easy afternoon, but that, surely, was to be expected. Hearts forwards, with the exception of Massie were in fine form, Johnstone excelled. He had Brown on the go many times. He, too, hit the wood with a seemingly scoring drive. Walker id not as great as some say he is, but he was extremely clever at time, and he has tactical knowledge. White is given a hand for being on the spot when, twelve minutes after the interval. Massie hit the post after a Reid cross. White had merely to touch the ball home. Murray was dangerous. His swerving crosses into the goalmouth were breath-taking. Reid, Johnston and Herd I reckoned better as a line then Rangers, though Reid was not so powerful as on Saturday. Herd stood out as the class half-back all the time. Anderson was just the man we saw in League game and Cup-tie. Great tackling, clen kicking, and for ever butting in. Hearty against justified his selection. He had the most difficult job of the lot. Harkness was good, in difficult circumstances.
