H Ferguson pen 74
Match Information
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Andrew Allan (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Motherwell brought off a sensational victory over Rangers at Fir Park, where they won by 1-0. This from a penalty late in the second half, which was converted by Hugh Ferguson. The validity of the award was hotly disputed, but the referee was adamant. It was a game of penalties. To my mind there were at least three glaring infringement, and the one which was granted as the result of Bowie handling with arms uplifted was the least flagrant. It was a peculiar game. It was full of thrills. There was abundance of incident, swift end-to-end play, and yet there was no outstanding event which cold stamp the match as one to be remembered. One fact, however, does emerge, and it was the ineptitude of the Rangers forwards, when it came to piecing the Motherwell defence. Except for a brief period in the second half, after Motherwell had secured their goal, Rundell was seldom seriously troubled, although in the closing minutes of the game he was called upon to do many marvellous things. There was one occasion, for instance, when it seemed as if every Rangers forward was on top of him, but he came through the ordeal successfully. Such was the excitement at the start one would have thought it was a cup-tie rather than an ordinary League game. Neither side could settle down. There was wild kicking, inaccurate placing, an apparent desire to get rid of the ball at any price. Rangers, in the early stages, however, appeared potential winners. Cunningham was desperately anxious and spoiling his play in consequence, Gordon swung the ball from wing to wing, and got precious few returns. Motherwell were very much in the danger zone when Cunningham brushed past Brown, who by the way, played a wonderful game, and tried to manoeuvre for position. Try as he would, however, he could not get the ball way. Gordon was quick to seize the opportunity, and he came along with an express effort, bit it went wide. Then Paterson got moving. He tipped, ran and crossed. McGregor scented danger, and there is no question about his handling well inside the area Rangers made an almost frantic appeal for the utmost reward, but Mr Allan turned a deaf ear to their request. Motherwells first opportunity of making good came along when Manderson miskicked. Ferguson went ahead but, in his anxiety, Gardiner intruded and unfilled the chance which seemed a most likely one. Rangers moved together after this with a wonderful precision; but it was only a flash in the pan. There was no vim in their attack, and McGregor - easily the best back on the field who was ably seconded by Jackson, had little difficulty in repelling their every effort. Motherwells narrowest escape in the first half was when Paterson sent across an invitation to Archibald. The fifer, whose display was most disappointing, put in all he knew to catch the ball just on the post, but he failed to get there. Dixon never left Ferguson. They were like unto the Siamese twins, and when the centre-half failed, invariably Ritchie was in attendance. Just on the interval, Gardiner, seemed likely to bore his way through, and to my thinking Manderson deliberately handled the ball. There was a demand for a penalty, but the referee decided otherwise. In the second half we saw a listless Rangers forward line being pursued by the relentless Motherwell half-back trio, and behind them McGregor and Jackson were safe as houses. The ex-Celt undoubtedly handled on one occasion, and Rangers made still another appeal, but again the referee refused. Bowie had one particularly fine drive for goal from thirty yards out, and next minute he gave away the penalty. Ferrier had an all out effort to beat Lock. Bowies arms were in the air. The ball hit them, and the referee decided that it was an act of deliberation. A penalty kick was awarded. Hugh Ferguson took it and scored the only goal of the match. Rangers after this put in all they knew, but their belated efforts were fruitless. Gordon and Cunningham tried to manipulate a free kick in the closing minutes, but the joint strategy miscarried. Motherwell won deservedly although the penalty which they got was a doubtful one. For Motherwell, Rankin, Brown, McGregor and Jackson were best, and Rangers got good service from Manderson, Ritchie, Bowie, Dixon and Muirhead
