Dawson (2)
Cowan
Match Information
Manager: No Permanent Manager
Attendance:
Referee:
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
This important match, which has been looked forward so with very great interest for some time past by local football enthusiasts, duly came off on Monday at Starks Park. The day being observed as the spring holiday in Kirkcaldy, threw was a very large attendance of spectators. The fact that the Rangers had promised to send through their full League team also helped to increase the interest taken in the game, and in this respect there was certainly no room for complaint on the part of those who witnessed the match, as the visitors were fully represented, including the three Internationals who play for Scotland against England at Liverpool today. Drummond for the Rangers won the toss, and D Walker kicked off for the home team up hill, and in face of a strong wind. The forwards made good progress towards Haddow, but were at once drawn up for a foul against Marshall. The Rangers with the aid of the wind, pressed hard, and gave the Rovers defence a deal of trouble, but a foul off one of the strangers brought relief. Smith had then a good run of the left for the Rangers, but his parting shot went wide. Still pressing hard, they forced a corner off Oag, and for a time Grieve had an anxious time of it. Danger was averted, however and then the Rovers had a fine combined run up the field, and secured a corner, from which they almost succeeded in beating Haddow. J Walker had a grand run immediately after, his shot just going over the bar. Play proceeded on pretty fast lines, and the Rovers were causing their more experienced opponents to travel at a good pace, on several occasions being within an ace of scoring. They could not, however get the ball in the net. After another break-away, Smith was again prominent on the visitors left, and from a fine cross shot by that player, Cowan who was lying handy, had no difficulty in tipping the leather past Grieve, and the Rangers were one goal up. The Rovers replied in plucky style, and after a splendid run on the left, initiated by Dawson, the ball was passed to Suttie, who had only the goalkeeper to beat, but amid groans of disappointment he shot too feebly, and Haddow caught and threw out. Play was quickly transferred to the other end, where Cowan headed past for the Rangers. Pressing hard, they obtained another corner, but they could not increase their score. Greive saving splendidly on several occasions. The Rovers, although they could make little headway against the wind, were successful in beating off the Rangers attacks. They subsequently broke away, after some really fine work among the forwards, and had very hard lines indeed at this stage in not having the equaliser, Blyth and Suttie both missing the post by inches. Even with the aid of a corner they were unforunate in not obtaining the coveted point, and then the half-time whistle blew with the scores as follows :- Rangers; Rovers 0. With the hill and wind in their favour in the second half, it was early seen that the Rovers were going to have more than a fair share of the play. On kicking off they at once got down, and almost before the Rangers could realise it, Dawson had the ball in the net thus equalising the game, the point being received with loud cheers. The visitors exhibited some pretty passing play, Cowan and McCreadie on the right being specially prominent, the former by his speedy runs making a lot of ground. Cowper and Oag, however defended well, and the Rangers were drawn back in their own goal. The Rovers pressed hard and Haddow was lucky in saving a likely shot. Hands off Cowper enabled them to make headway, and with a rush they were quickly up on Grieve, but Oag, who was playing a grand game, saved finely. The Rangers tried hard to increase their score, but the home lads were playing them hard, D Walker and Suttie each missing narrowly. Both goals had thereafter several close shaves, a swift shit just grazing the Rovers goal-post, while at the other end Drummond and Smith had to be prompt in clearing. The Rovers were now having much the best of what was going, and were keeping up a constant pressure on Haddow. The Rangers forwards broke away from time to time, but although showing some determined play, they could not again beat Grieve. After some further pressure by the home five, Suttie and Dawson got well away, and the latter shot in. Drummond attempted to clear, but missed the ball, with the result that Dawson beat Haddow for the second time after thirty minutes play. Great cheering followed the taking of this point, which were prolonged for several seconds, and the spectators seemed delighted at the success of the home team, who now played up with renewed vigour, Cowper almost putting on another goal. The Rangers seemed bent on equalising, and put on severe pressure in the closing minutes of the game. McPherson, after a fine dribble, nearly succeeded in accomplishing this with a low shot, which Grieve only got rid of by throwing himself at full length on the ground, and conceding a corner an effort which received the applause it deserved, as there would barely be a minute more to go. Cowan took the kick. And then the whistle blew for call of time. Result :- Rovers 2; Rangers 1. The game, though never at any time what could be termed brilliant, was nevertheless of a most interesting character, and at times brimful of excitement. The play of the Rangers was closely watched, interest being specially centred in the display of the three International men, though it must be admitted that, with the exception of N Gibson perhaps, none of them came up to expectation. Haddow kept a fine goal, and was ever watchful, but could not have saved the points scored against him. Drummonds display at back was quite disappointing, and on the days form Smith was the better of the two. At half-back N Gibson was the best, and his tackling at times was really first class, although on several occasions he was fairly non-plussed through tricky passing by J Walker and Blyth. The other two played a hard game, but were not so smart on the ball. The forwards were all in fine form, Cowan especially showing a splendid turn of speed, while Smith on the extreme left was always dangerous, and if anything the best of the quintette. The Rovers gave a fine account of themselves, and are entitled to congratulations on their victory. Grieve never kept a better goal, and had no chance to save the solitary point scored against him, being surrounded at the moment by a host of players. Oag was again the better of the two backs, although both showed improved form. Lambert was easily the best half in the home line, with Cowper a good second, while Marshall was much too slow, although on faster ground he would likely have shown better form. Coming to the forwards, J Walker and Blyth played a grand game, the latter especially putting in ant amount of telling work. D Walker keeps up his fine play, and was ever a hard and earnest worker, combining his wings in the best style. Suttie and Dawson got along nicely, the latter having both goals to his credit, and but for a tendency to shot feebly Suttie must also have had a hand in scoring.
