Boyle
Match Information
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Mr Traill (Port Glasgow)
Matchday: Monday
Match Trivia
The fourth meeting this season in League rivalry of these clubs took place, as did their first game, at Easter Road. On the Autumn Holiday the Hibernian beat the Rangers, after running them off their feet, by four goals to one, but the Rangers won the return somewhat easily, and also the first match in the connection with the Inter-City series. The present match could, therefore, only allow of the Hibernian drawing level on the season’s League exchanges with their Glasgow rivals, but it was none the less interesting on that account. The match started a few minutes after the advertised hour, when there would be about 5000 spectators. The Rangers had some assistance from the breeze, which was the only obstacle to good play and forced the pace at the outset. A daring save by Rennie coming on the back of good forward play by the Ibrox men. Give and take work about midfield followed, and then the Hibernians made an attack, which found the Rangers defence unsteady, Atherton and Boyle however, being unable to take advantage of a palpable chance. Ensuring play slightly favoured the Hibernian, but Dickie had only two or three longish shots to deal with. Play continued fast and very energetic, but the good work done was solely individual. Of the forward play, that of the Rangers was the cleverer, but the Hibernians had fully the more chances, and Boyle from a centre by McCartney managed to get the ball past Dickie, the point being however, knocked off on the account of Boyle being offside or of his handling the ball. The next chance was presented to McCartney, who beat Drummond in a desperate rush, but just missed the ball. Dickie had rather an anxious time for a few minutes, but he disposed of two or three shots, and a bout of nice passing among the Rangers forwards transferred play to the other end. Here Hamilton sent a very pretty ball out to Campbell, but the latter swung the ball back beside the inside men, and danger from Smith was covered by Breslin, who was applauded for fine saving. A good deal of wild play was subsequently indulged in, but it seemed to suit the holiday crowd, who laughed loudly when one of the Hibernians turned heads over heels, and again when the referee tried to lecture a player and kicked the ball in the same breath, and almost succeeded in tripping himself over the ball. The next serious item was an attempt on the Rangers goal, which should have fallen to Boyle, who marked an opening well, and then shot poorly. With half-time drawing on, the Rangers forced matters a bit, Campbell gave McPherson a chance, which the latter was slow to take. Hamilton however, had a try, and then Speedie made a brilliant effort, Rennie just getting his hands on the ball far up at the off corner. McCartney broke away, and passed to Boyle, who returned to the inside right man, the latter however, finding his way barred by the bulky form of Nick Smith. the wind was having rather too big a say in the game, and the interval was very near before a spirited attack by the Hibernians raised hope of their crossing over a goal to the good, but their execution was poor, and the Rangers came away and had rather the best of it till half-time, when there was no scoring. Play was very slack in the opening of the second half, the breeze making the ball difficult to control. A scrambling rush by the Hibernians right wing and centre, was made the occasion for some shouting, but Gibson managed to get the ball away, while a subsequent foul was badly placed by Breslin. Raisbeck worked the ball over into the corner, and transferred to Atherton, whose shot, a very nice effort, was finished up by Boyle. The Hibernian centre had been lying too close to the goalkeeper, but the home club’s supporters were very wroth when, for the second time in the match, a goal by Boyle was disallowed. The home team kept at it, and for a short spell quite overran the Rangers, whose defence was somewhat lucky in holding out. Breaking away, the Rangers got a free kick well up, and Hogg headed over his own line; following upon which Handling twice drove the ball down, and Drummond twice beat the Hibernian forwards in the race for possession. A swinging centre from McCartney troubled the Rangers defence, but as had often been the case before a fine effort was not followed up. When the Rangers next attacked, Gray distinguished himself by neat stopping, and the Hibernians immediately took up the running. Atherton shooting beautifully without beating Dickie, who had two further calls made upon him, while sandwiched between them was a corner given away by Neil. The Rangers broke away, and Hogg taking things easily, was charged by Hamilton before he could get the ball away, and was brought down with a damaged knee, which necessitated his being helped off the field, the Hibernians thus playing one back. With ten men, they attacked fairly vigorously, and when Hogg returned they attacked with fully more vigour, but with no success, Raisbeck being unable to take a couple of changes he got quickly enough. Campbell was equally at fault in the Rangers attack. Following a free kick for a foul not far from the penalty line, McCartney neatly passed the ball in front of the Rangers goal, and Boyle tipped the ball into the net amid great cheering. Playing with some confidence, the Hibernians kept the Rangers for most part in their own territory, and at least once a second goal seemed to be more than a possibility. A corner was forced, but was placed too far out by McCartney, and nothing came of it. The final whistle went a few minutes later. Result Hibernian one goal; Rangers nothing.
