Gordon
A Smith <45
Match Information
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: T Dougray (Nitshill)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
They lost again, but they were not disgraced, and the experience should be profitable to management and players alike. Play all through was of a very vigorous type. Rangers dominated the situation in the first period. In the second the exchanges were pretty equally divided, but the general play of the Light Blues was always characterised by superior manoeuvring. They were, of course, the more experienced side by a long way, and it says a good deal for the Rovers, who now find themselves in the choicest company, putting up so dour a fight against the famous men from Ibrox. It is true; however, that the Kirkcaldy club must make a few chances in the personnel of their team if they are to make a really satisfactory show in First League circles. There was evidence given which proved that in the forward division at anyrate there are weaknesses which will have to be remedied. All along the line there is a lack of weight. The ability to play well is there right enough, but there is not sufficient avoirdupois to carry the quintette effectively into the goal-scoring zone. Over and over again this was demonstrated against the Rangers, whose power in defence upset completely the calculations of the Rovers’ attack. There was consequently a deficiency in combination. The inside men were not strong enough, clever though they be in manipulation, to draw out the opposition. Rangers were in a delightful mood in the opening period. The van passed and repassed like a machine, and but for the egregious offside rulings, of the referee would have doubtless led by a higher margin at the interval. The two goals scored were got by perfect football. The first was the result of a wonderful movement in which all the forwards, with the exception of Hogg, joined. Gordon, who was one of the best men on the Rangers’ side, simply swept the ball into the net and fittingly crowned outfield work of a rare order. The second was led up to by brilliant feeding by Hendry. This was sufficient to take the heart out of many teams, but the opposite was the case with the Rovers. Two goals in arrears they began the second period. The wind was against them. They shown great improvement. Often the Rangers goal was imperilled, but the Ibrox defence was big and strong, and flinging their weight about, the light Kirkcaldy attack finished poorly. Behind the Rovers were doing fine things. The defence was dour. Rangers van was still going ding-dong, but they were encountered successfully by really creditable defensive work. San Aitken’s experience was most useful. He was the hero of the home side. His judicious placing along the carpet, his generalship, his personality did much to steady up the Rovers’ defence when fighting so virile an attack as that of the Light Blues. His colleagues, Donagher and Grierson, were wonderfully successful against the brainy Rangers’ wingers, but they did not impress one as being just all that is necessary for First Division football. With both elevens striving for goals, and the second period getting on, the enthusiasm of the crowd became intense. There were many Rangers supporters in the stand. Two or three were loud in their protestations against the offside decision of the referee. Once more daring than the rest rushed into the arena to argue with the official, but was promptly sent about his business by a couple of policemen. The players themselves were inclined to excitement, and there were lots of hard knocks administered. Hendry was carried off injured as the result of an accident by heavy collision, but he soon recovered and resumed. Right up till the last whistle sounded the game was fought with undoubted earnestness and force. Raith Rovers deserved their dusting. They have a fairly good team, but the Rangers are all round easily their superiors. The Light Blues forward play is of a different class, and at half-back they are more knowing, taking that division collectively. Philip and Cumming gave nothing away at back. They were a bit shaky to begin with, but having found their bearings, they played with as much skill and often with more confidence than did Law and Campbell. One need not say more of the forwards, unless to mention that there was no outstanding man in the line. A word about the Rangers. Lock was quite himself, showing clever anticipation. Campbell was better than Law, who kicked erratically and wanted judgment in tackling. Galt was the pick of the half-backs. Chapman on Saturday’s form is not an improvement on Stark. Bennett was the least effective of a spanking attack. Gordon was great; Reid smart; Smith subtle, and still swift; Hogg an adept manipulator, who took matters easy. The Rovers need not be discouraged. The makings of a fine side are theirs, and with amendments here and maybe there, the necessary improvements will be found, and then the points will tot up steadily
