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Match Information
Attendance: 3000
Referee:
Matchday: Monday
Match Trivia
The Newcastle United club commenced their season with a friendly match with the famous Glasgow Rangers’ team at St James Park, last evening. Although it has been proved times innumerable that friendly matches are not attractive, the Newcastle United directors showed their wisdom in not subjecting their players to a stiff League match at the outset and thereby running the risk of losing a couple of points. The practice games as played by the Newcastle men has enabled them to get some of the stiffness worn off them, but as yet they could not be described as being in their real stride. Glasgow Rangers are always attractive, for their part in Scottish football is equal to that played by the leading clubs of the English game. For many years they were the champions of the Scottish League – a position which was gained year after year and season after season by virtue of a fine sequence of victories. They were perhaps fortunate in securing chief honours last season, for Celtic fell away just a little at the close, which was quite sufficient to lose them the championship. Included in the ranks of Glasgow Rangers are many fine footballers; in fact, the team against Newcastle may justly be termed an International one, for there were about six Internationals in the eleven. The Smiths, Robertson, Walker, Drummond and Hamilton are all well-know players. On the other hand there are several Internationals in the Newcastle team, McColl, Orr, Stewart, Aitken and Kingsley all being entitled to that. During last year, Glasgow Rangers were visited ay home by the Newcastle United team and were beaten by 5 goals to 1, from which, however, it must not be taken that Newcastle United is so much the superior team, for previous matches between the clubs have been of a much closer description. The weather changed very badly about 5.30 and the sky rapidly becoming overcast, a mist began to settle over the ground. There was no doubt but that it would be dark long before the regulation hour-and-a-half had elapse, and the question arose as to how long they would play. The attendance a quarter of an hour before the advertised time was poor; in fact, for the opening of the season, and the attractiveness of the fixture, it was disappointing. There were no more than 1,000 spectators inside the enclosure, but as many would not finish work until five o’clock, there was not much time lost. Still the spectators trooped in slowly, as a matter of fact they strolled in, and their appearance was sufficient to let one know that it was not a League match. Just before the teams came on to the field it was announced to the press that two forties would be played; but even then there were grave doubts as to the light holding out. Both teams were well received by the spectators who had come up well just prior to the start and numbered about 3,000. Aitken lost the toss and as a consequence Rutherford started the game downhill for Newcastle. Roberts was put into possession, and when he attempted to give to McColl, Fraser intercepted the pass. For a few seconds, the exchange were in the Rangers’ half, but a throw in by Stark enabled Lennie and J Walker to make off uphill attended by Aitken and McWilliam. The last-named eventually got possession, and gave to McColl, but Fraser was again there and transferred to his forwards. Hamilton made good progress and got to within shooting range. Agnew, however, clung to his opponent, whose final shot went wide. After the goal kick Stewart and Orr attempted to get down, but Stark was again a thorn in the flesh. McWilliam came forward, and getting the better of the opposing half, centred beautifully right into the goalmouth. Drummond cleared, and Aitken attempted to return, but Hamilton clung to him and he was compelled to kick back to Bennie. The Newcastle back was in good form as his return kicked showed, for it dropped right in the goal-mouth. McColl tried a shot, but it bounced off the foot of Neil and back to the field of play. Another shot was put across by Stewart and five minutes from the start Rutherford scored for Newcastle. Following the centre kick, the Glasgow forwards made off towards Kingsley, and though Bennie chipped in and failed. McWilliam overtook Lennie and dispossessed him. At the bottom end again, matters looked dangerous for the Scots, but Rutherford, in his eagerness, spoilt the effort by getting off-side. After the ball had been well returned by Agnew, Roberts attempted to improve the position, but was strongly tackled by Fraser, the Rangers’ right half. Then J Walker took up the running, and made a fine sprint goalwards, before having his effort brought to a summary conclusion by Bennie, who gave to Kingsley to clear. This being done the game carried on in the centre of the field for some time. Orr, Stewart and McWilliam all being prominent in a movement which finally brought the ball to Rutherford, who finely passed to Roberts, whose return, however, was intercepted by one of the Rangers, who conceded a corner. While the Rangers offered a capital defence the United attack was a very strong one. Aitken sent in one shot for goal which was returned by Drummond. Carr next had a try, but he was well wide of the mark. Still in the visitors half, the Newcastle forwards were very busy. Stewart sent across a long pass, which was taken by Roberts, who, however, was standing palpably ‘off-side.’ From the free-kick which resulted little relief came to the visitors. The ball was kept in their half by the homesters, and after a little finessing and some easy graceful play, McColl got a chance, and placing the ball well, scored very neatly. He judged the business so accurately that though Dickie rushed along the other end of his goal he had no chance of intercepting the leather before it was behind him. A neat passing bout was witnessed in the succeeding play in which Rutherford and McColl were most prominent. The international at length took sole charge but held on rather too long before he took a shot, for when he did put his toe to the leather Drummond intercepted and kicked well down. So gloomy did the evening turn out, that, at times, it was somewhat difficult to distinguish the players’ features, the light being very variable indeed. Orr drew form plaudits from the crowd for some clever work against J Walker and Hamilton. As if in approval the light improved materially though it was still very peculiar. At Dickie’s end Stewart put across a nice shot which McColl further assisted when standing in a good position, but through the intervention of a Ranger the effort was futile. A break way by Lennie was the nest move, and McWilliams chipping in was beaten. The ball was then dribbled up towards the goal-line, and when Bennie was shaping for a tackle, Lennie put right across the goal-mouth to Robertson. Although tackled and perused by Agnew the Glasgow outside right got in a returning kick, and the ball dropped at the goal-mouth. Kingsley tipped it away, and running six yards out again tapped it sending it to the feet of J Walker. Before the Newcastle custodian could get back into his goal, J Walker had taken a short, sharp drive, and though Bennie tried hard to stop its progress, it rolled over the line into the net for the Rangers’ first goal. Almost immediately after the kick-off Orr got the ball, but fiddled rather too long with it, with the result that Hamilton took possession and flying down the right wing evaded Agnew and had the goal at his mercy. He made a most erratic shot, however, and a howl of delight went up from the crowd when they saw that the shot was clean missed. A minute or two later and just on time Stewart sent in a superb drive which seemed certain to score. Dickie, however, simply flung himself at the ball, and stopping it dead with his body scooped it away with his hands in fine style amidst cheers. Then the interval arrived. Half time; Newcastle United 3 goals; Glasgow Rangers 1 goal. The opening stages of the second half were central, but Lennie and J Walker got down, and a poor clearance by Carr allowed Robertson and W Walker to get around. Agnew eventually got the ball away, but a series of throw-in occurred before Stark put the ball behind, the ball striking the end of the net. A sharp move was made towards the Leaves goal by Roberts and McColl, a corner being forced. In a second, the Glasgow forwards were down at the Gallowgate goal, and Robertson steadying himself for a shot was baulked by Agnes. The game was very fast and a run by Roberts saw Newcastle in a fine position. Travelling neck and neck with Roberts was Rutherford, and when the Newcastle winger put across Rutherford scored, but the referee’s whistle sound for offside, at which the crowd jeered. Still keeping up the attack, the Rangers goalkeeper was severely tested. Stewart centred in fine style, and the ball coming to the feet of Roberts, the last-named shot with terrific force from short range. Dickie got his hands down at the ball, and it rebounded into play. Rutherford could not get at it, and Roberts again running in shot for a second time. Dickie was again the master, for he scooped the ball around the post for a corner kick. It was hard lines for Roberts, but the saves were fine. Stewart’s corner kick hit the end of the net. The Glasgow men played up valiantly after this, but their individual efforts were not of much avail against the combined moved of the United forwards, and the sturdy defence prevented by Kingsley and his two backs. Once, however, Stark put in two very hot shots, Kingsley saving the first well and giving a corner off the second. Then Stewart ran the ball up the field and centring McColl shot hard, but his shot bounded off Drummond and over the bar. The Rangers were now pressing heavily, but Kingsley was always happy in his saves; whilst both Bennie and Agnew were playing well. Darkness was now settling rapidly over the ground, and after some rather uninteresting play McColl got up and shot at longish range. It missed the mark by inches only. Towards the close the pace slackened somewhat, and time eventually arrived with the scores of an interesting match as follows; Newcastle United 3 goals; Glasgow Rangers 1 goal
