W Reid >45
Gibson
Match Information
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: J Lyons (Hamilton)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
It was a holiday crowd that greeted the teams at Rugby Park, between ten and eleven thousand being present – the best of the season. The majority of that crowd doubtless would have preferred a different result, but there could be no gain saying the fact that the game was splendidly contested. The old story had to be retold of the home team doing most of the aggressive work, while the other side quietly, but effectively, waited their opportunities, and stole a march on the opposing defence by scoring two goals at a time when the chances in that respect were all in favour of Kilmarnock, who were then assisted by a fairly strong breeze. But that, in a word, sums up the difference in the style of the two teams, and while Kilmarnock, on the whole, claimed the larger portion of the play, Rangers were nevertheless always the more dangerous company. Right from the start the home forwards made the running, and twice Lock baulked their best efforts. The game progressed on those lines for a time, the monotony of the home pressure being relieved by an occasional dash on the part of Hogg and Smith to the other goal. Their stay, however, was short lived, the Rugby Park representatives continuing their bombardment; but Law and Campbell, gaining confidence by the non-success of their opponents, got a firm hold of the game, and if their style did not impress, there was no doubting their earnestness, and that more than once brought them out of a tight corner. Later on matters took a turn for the better for the Rangers, a nicely executed move on the part of Gibson leaving Reid with a fine opening which he did not fail to make the most of. Kilmarnock momentarily reeled at the surprise goal, and again Gibson came into prominence by scoring a second. Two goals down and stiff wind to face did not look too encouraging for a team who had done everything but score previously, and so it turned out for neither side added anything further in the way of goals in the closing half. Kilmarnock put up a good fight against the wind, and were actually nearer beating Lock than in the first half, when they had a preponderance of the play. Rangers contented themselves with keeping safe what they had got, but Rennie was not altogether idle, a fine save of his midway through the second half being praiseworthy. The winners were excellently served all over. They seemed nippier than their opponents. Lock was daring to a degree, but the fact of holding to a ball until there is danger is not good goalkeeping. Law and Campbell did not stand on ceremony, and were successful in their dealing with the opposing forwards. The half-backs stood out prominently, backing up the men in front splendidly, and Chapman come a good second to Halley in recover work. Forward the line moved with freedom, Gibson being the craftsman, Smith gave Law able support, and while Hogg was fairly mastered by Mitchell, he nevertheless took up a good deal of attention. If fault could be found with Kilmarnock’s’ display, it was in the half-back line, where they failed to back up their forwards as is their wont. Rennie had no chance with the goals that beat him. Kirkwood and Mitchell both put up a good game, the veteran being ever watchful. At half, Halley has done better, and so have both Barrie and Anderson. Forward, Howie and Gilchrist went lame owing to injury, and Cunningham, who was not bettered by any forward when in possession, naturally suffered from the want of the inside passes. Armour also did well, but Templeton was fitful
