J Smith 18
Robertson 69
Match Information
Attendance: 13,000
Referee: J.M. Martin (Ladybank)
Matchday: Tuesday
Match Trivia
Defensive lapses lost Killie a great chance to defeat Rangers. The home club showed smart footwork in the open, but they were too slavish in their support of Robertson, and the centre could make little headway against the ever-alert Simpson. For about two-thirds of the game Kilmarnock were on the aggressive, but there was a lack of craft about their attack, and Dawson was not troubled any more than Miller. Rangers, although their attack lacked power, deserved much credit, for early in the game Nicholson, sustained a leg injury which incapacitated him until near the finish. Against the run of play, the Ibrox men opened the scoring. It was a goal, too that should have been saved. Venters shot a low ball which Miller failed to hold, and Smith had no trouble in netting. This goal came along after 22 minutes. Until the interval play ran in Killies favour, and on one occasion the Rangers goal had a lucky escape, when Williamson drove in a ball which Dawson allowed to squirm out of his hands. Fortunately for the Ibrox men there was no Kilmarnock forward near to apply the finishing touch. The game was resumed with Killie still dictating the run of play, but their movements were too obvious, and Simpson and the backs kept Dawson from being overworked. Twenty-four minutes had gone when the overdue equaliser arrived. Keane, speeding down the wing, centred high behind the defence, and Robertson dashed in to head past Dawson. Following this the rain came down in torrents, and the game subsequently resolved itself into a duel between the Ibrox defence and the home attack. Rangers were often in desperate straits to clear their lines, but they unexpectedly rallied, and the Killie defence allowed them to score rather softly twice within four minutes. First Milloy stopped a simple cross by Nicholson on the goal-line, and McPhail dashed in and netted before the back could get rid of the ball. Two minutes from time Nicholson crossed another fine ball, and again Milloy was slow in clearing. This time Venters took advantage and slammed the ball out of Millers reach. It was an interesting game to watch, but why Killie did not change their tactics instead of continually plying Robertson with the ball I could not understand. Williamson and Beattie, the inside men, were clever schemers but lacked variety in their touches. Keans might have got more work to do. He was most enterprising. For a youngster Black more than passed muster, and from one of his crosses Robertson should have given the lead when the score stood at 1-1. Nicholsons injury certainly handicapped Rangers, but strangely enough it was the outside-lefts crosses that brought victory to his side. Venters was as lively as any of the Ibrox forwards but put too much work on the ball and twice missed great chances after making splendid position. Main found Milloy a stumbling block, as did Smith with his namesake. McPhail tried to rally the side time and again, but it was only in the closing stages that he got any real response. Both sides were well served by the middle divisions, with the centre-halfs especially prominent as spoilers. I liked Ross for his pushfulness. Craig also got through a power of work. Milloys last-minute lapses stood against him, but little fault could be found with any of the backs otherwise. Miller, like Dawson made one vital mistake, but luck came to Dawsons aid. About 13,000 people looked on
