A Bennett pen
W Reid
J Bowie
Gordon
W Reid
Goodwin 87
Match Information
Attendance: 9,000
Referee: T Robertson (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Many days will pass before the Kilmarnock club experience such a chapter of misfortune. The pronounced score – flattering in a way to the visitors – Blair’s accident, and Dickie’s dismissal by the referee on the opening day of a new season filled the cup of woe to overflow. In the early stages of the game Kilmarnock gave of their best. When I mention that they were the more prominent side, I may also state that the Rangers were not playing like a team that had been acquainted with each other’s play for some time. Only Bennett of the forwards got into the proper stride. Certainly a good deal of the later success must be put down to the little forward, who was a slippery as an eel right through. As occasionally happens the visitors scored with practically their first effort. They were indebted to a thin penalty for an infringement by Murray, and Bennett had the honour of opening the score. Even after this reverse Kilmarnock responded pluckily, but a nippy and robust defence proved a strong obstruction. A mistake on the part of Duff, who presented Reid with something he had been waiting for him from his own side, ended in a second goal for the Ibrox men. Thus matters stood at half-time. An excellent effort from Dickie was as cleverly saved by Hempsey just before crossing over. It was a different Rangers team we saw in the second half. Hempsey, Ormonde, Logan and Bennett had stood the test of a trying time in the first half, and had come out of it successfully in more ways than one, for the energetic Kilmarnock team had lost a lot of its sting. It was then that Gordon, Paterson, Bowie and Reid came into the picture, and right well did they respond. With Blair suffering from a knee injury goals came easy, Paterson and Reid each netting. At this stage Blair had to give up. Shortt took his place, but both Gordon and Bowie managed to elude the half-back. In between the last two goals Goodwin finished a good run with a well taken goal, and Brown and Dickie completed the debacle by being sent to the pavilion by the referee. The better-playing and more experienced team won, but it was only in the second half after a couple of fortunate goals that their mastery was apparent. Once the Rangers got properly set there never was much doubt as to the result. Hempsey was as safe as anyone could desire. Campbell and Ormonde did all that was required of them, although their kicking did not always inspire confidence. Logan was a host in himself at centre-half, and was the stalwart of the winners defence when their opponents were most dangerous. Gordon came away in the second half in something like his old self. Bennett, Reid, Paterson and Bowie, in the order named were the better forwards, the outside right being especially clever in the latter stages. Blair, feeling unwell before the start of the game, did his part well and had the misfortune to have a knee hurt in addition to his illness. Murray and Mitchell were all right for a time, but in the end they were easily beaten. Shortt was the only half-back that did himself justice. Duff inclined to fall back too frequent, and Steele fell a victim to the trickery of Paterson. Forward, Cunningham stood out permanently. His play in the first half was not bettered by any man on the field, but a lack of response by the others to his many excellent openings told a tale. Goodwin hung too long on the ball and must learn to part quicker. Whittle was disappointing. Dickie wrought hard, but his partner Neil was obviously unnerved by the importance of the match
