Fleming 27
Murdoch 43
McDonald 86
J Smith 72
Match Information
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: J. Hudson.
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
As an exhibition of the kind of football one expects from teams of the reputation of Rangers and Motherwell, the display at Fir Park was most disappointing. There was far too much kicking in the air to begin with, the half-backs on both sides being great sinners in this respect, and it could not be said that either attack moved with the sweetness one generally associated with them. The type of play was more like what one generally expects to see in a Cup-tie, because of the keenness shown by both sets of players. Without a doubt Rangers were easily the better side, and ought to have had the game won comfortably in the first half-hour. They were all over their opponents during that period and pressed continuously, although McFadyen twice gave Dawson a fright. The Champions took exactly twenty-seven minutes to draw first blood, but Flemings goal was long overdue, McClory having been sorely troubled. It looked odds on the home side getting further behind, but the rangers were bad finishers, and they got the surprise of their lives when Murdoch equalised five minutes from the interval. Motherwell were not long in going ahead after half-time, as after a bad ten minutes they went wild and completely disorganised or shall I rather say, rattled the Light Blues and put on a couple of goals after twenty minutes, through Dowall and Stevenson. This settled the Champions chances of reversing last seasons result, for although Smith got them a goal quickly, the home team were on top. The close, up-the-centre work which had prevented Rangers from reaping the reward of consistent attack in the first half, and which had proved Motherwells attack unavailing was cast aside in the second, and wing play predominated. The change of policy paid Motherwell, and the hitherto inept Dowall and the neglected Murdoch were brought into the game with great profit. Murdochs neat header eleven minutes from the end blotted out Rangers, and they retired well beaten. Neither side could claim that they enhanced their reputation. No doubt Motherwell will be well satisfied with the result and try to forget their poor play. The losers were certainly the better football team of the two, but they only gave glimpses of real systematic football. This was entirely absent on the winners side certainly I saw some pretty dribbling from Stevenson, but long kicking predominated. Both goalkeepers did well, and I felt sorry for Dawson, who had not an earthly with any of the goals, for he had some fine saves. Although Ellis captured popular fancy with his dare-devil rushes, yet I had more faith in Gray, who although sorely beset at times, came through the ordeal with credit. Of his partner, McAulay, I would say that his kicking was superb, but he was shaky under pressure. Johnman was only so-so like the curates egg, he was good in parts. My high opinion of Motherwells wing half-backs was badly shaken, as in the first half they never showed the least idea of feeding the forwards, most in their parting being in the air. Craig had his works cut out heading away the continuous long high balls which were sent goalwards, presumably for Smith. Rangers middlemen were better, but only a little, and faded out badly. Dowall showed little conception of outside-left ply, particularly in the first half in the second his crude efforts came off, strange to say. His one move was to get control and hit the ball goalward and luckily for him and his team this came off, but Ferrier was missed. Murdoch, after being neglected in the first half, got plenty of support in the second, and responded well. Stevenson, as I have said gave some pretty bits of play, but failed to pull the line together, while McMenemy was slow and uncertain. McFadyen, a glutton for work, tried hard to get dozens of hopeless balls, but worried the life out of Meiklejohn. Fleming had one good quarter of an hour that was all that could be said of him but want of opportunity cane be pleaded in his case. Nicholson did well when supplied and crossed some fine balls, but I thought McPhail and Brown worked far too closely. Smith like McFadyen, was asked to do the impossible, but tried hard. There was much discussion over Motherwells second goal, the turning-point in the game, in my opinion, as McFadyen seemed to be well offside when Dowall got the forward pass. The centre was a long way from the ball and no doubt the referee decided that he was not interfering, but I think he was a source of distraction to the defence. All the goals were splendidly taken, but the palm must go to Stevenson for his beautiful effort when he walked round Rangers defence to score the third from twelve yards range. Attendance 24,000.
