Dunlop 6
S Archibald 31
Match Information
Attendance: 23,000
Referee: Campbell Bilney (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Little did the crowd at Rugby Park, jubilant at Dunlop’s early goal, think that Kilmarnock would crumple up so decidedly against the unbeaten Rangers. Those first ten minutes saw Kilmarnock rushing the Rangers off their feet. All along the line they had pull, and their keen tackling gave the visitors no chance to strike their game. But dissolution was to follow. Five minutes after Dunlop’s goal Archibald found his feet, and from that moment on the Rangers took command of the situation. and this was a determining feature in the goal, for Hamilton was blinded by the sun. Once on the lead Kilmarnock seemed to lose their snap, and they adopted a close game that gave Rangers just the chance they needed. Archibald’s glorious runs were the turning point in the game. They drew back the Kilmarnock half-backs and allowed the Rangers to take up the initiative. When the equalising goal came it looked almost certain that the Rangers would triumph, and it was unfortunate that the goal which put them on the lead should have been of a disputable nature. I myself think that the ball was still in play when Fleming hooked it out from the goal-line and went on to score, but others firmly assert that it was well over. If that had been so I imagine the crowd at the end where the incident took place would have had much more to say than they did. So, too would the players. That they did not is surprising for the Kilmarnock defence undoubtedly halted just before the score as if they expected Fleming to be held up. Coming as it did just before half-time, it gave Kilmarnock a shake, but I think that goal or no goal Rangers would have prevailed. In the second half untroubled by wind or sun they continued their good work, and I fancy that had Archibald’s second counter been augmented by at least another no one could have grumbled. Rangers were clearly the better side, their half-backs struck up a combine with their forwards that disconcerted Kilmarnock, and the defence was sound as a bell. The real credit for the victory, however, must go to Archibald, who was the life of the attack. He pulled Rangers out of a very tight corner and fully deserved his two goals. Another Ranger who deserves especial praise is Buchanan, who gave one of his best displays. The others in this line also caught the eye. Of the forwards next to Archibald, McPhail and Fleming were best. The former stood well up to the task, and his shooting infused more pep into the line. Tom Hamilton brought off some daring saves and cannot be blamed for losing the goal. Kilmarnock, had they been able to keep up that sparkling stuff they served up at the outset, in all likelihood would have been celebrating a victory. Whether it was nerves or not, I do not know, but they lost all their penetration and pep when Rangers got going. The attack never developed a game, and beyond solitary raids by Cunningham and long pops from Ramsay, rarely threatened danger. Mattha Smith tried to bring off the close passing game, and on the treacherous turf it did not work, and failed to give Connell, a promising winger, any scope for his ability. Danny Paterson was rarely in the picture, and Cunningham fell away. The half-back line was the big disappointment. Not one of the trio played up to form, and of the lot Dunlop was perhaps the best. The backs were both sound and had a lot of hard work to do. More than anyone else Clemie deserves praise. He had no easy afternoon, and some of the shots he saved looked scorers all over. His duels with Archibald were intriguing, and but doe his agility the Ibrox winger might have doubled his brace. The game had a sensational opening. Rangers, facing the glaring sun, found themselves in difficulties right away, and after five minutes of pressure Robertson sent in a long one which Hamilton saved for a corner. Paterson’s flag kick swirled into the goalmouth with the breeze, and Dunlop headed the ball in for a goal. Rangers’ first real raid came immediately after. Archibald sprinted down the wing, and his cross eventually went to McPhail, who carried it in and whacked in a shot at Clemie, who saved brilliantly. Kilmarnock, however, were the more aggressive at this stage, and Cunningham had several useful attempts at goal. The second of these had Hamilton guessing, but the ball swirled harmlessly past the post. Alan Morton raised Rangers’ hopes with a solo run and shot that Clemie fell upon in the nick of time. With each succeeding minute Rangers were coming into their own. Archibald was the spearhead of the attack, and his cutting-in tactics took some confidence out of Killie’s defence. Half-an-hour elapsed before Rangers got on level terms. Archibald, carrying on his good work, beat Nibloe and Dunlop, and found himself confronted by Clemie. With the winger’s shot, however, the keeper hadn’t an earthly, for it tore into the far top corner of the rigging. There was no doubt about it, Kilmarnock had lost their early hold, and when just on the interval the leading goal came, it was not undeserved on play. Fleming pursed a ball that looked like going for a bye, and while Kilmarnock wavered in doubt, the centre carried on and netted. The crowd seemed to anticipate a bye, and so did the Kilmarnock players, but the referee awarded a goal, and as the Kilmarnock defenders did not vigorously protest, he was evidently correct. Still, it was a bad blow to Killie, and a goal that should have been easily saved. After the restart Rangers pursued their advantage, and McPhail shot over from long range, Alan Morton had several chances, but he threw them away. Archibald and Craig were more successful, and Clemie had to look slippy in getting them away. Kilmarnock, after this groggy opening, started to play their game, and Ramsay and Cunningham changed the scene of play. The former was on the target with a long lob, but it lacked force. Archibald, left unmarked from a Morton cross, was again left with only the keeper to beat, but this time Clemie saved brilliantly. Morton started the Rangers’ attack again, and Fleming and Archibald were left with an open field. The centre slipped it over to the winger, who ran in, and this time gave Clemie no chance. Cunningham was next to shine with a big effort, which struck the outside of the post. Dunlop was injured in heading out another Archibald shot, but after attention on the line he was able to resume. Fleming and Archibald pattern-weaved their way through the defence, and a more determined finish by the centre would have been productive of another score.
