J Smith 45
Match Information
Attendance: 53,000
Referee: J Thomson (Burnbank)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
There was only a goal in it at Ibrox yesterday, and a scrambled sort of goal ar that, but the right team got through, and had Rangers won with a couple of more to spare, Aberdeen would have no grouse. There were various reasons Rangers did not get the goals the run pf play warranted, but first and foremost must be placed the magnificent saving of Smith in the Aberdeen goal. That Main does not figure twice on the scoring sheet put down to the keeping of Smith. One is divided in admiration and sympathy between the two, Smith for his wonderful parrying, Main for the non-success of brilliant scoring efforts. The geni of the outfield play, however, was Falloon. Through the generation there come these amazing little centre-halves, Holt, Wilson, Wedlock and Falloon is in line. Falloon is an Irishman, the others English, so that is where Scotland takes the puir auld. I met lots of people after the game who thought Rangers were lucky to win. That is the prayer of relief. As I saw it, such thoughts merely acknowledge that Rangers were not an unbeatable side, but the fact that Smith save Aberdeen from a heavier defeat remains. More reasons, Meiklejohn was out of Rangers team and so was McPhail, although he was playing. McPhail was not fit, yet the undying spirit of the man was revealed when he made the winning goal. It was McPhail who detected Aberdeens left defensive flank was broken and moved across to exploit. He was there in the middle to receive the anticipated ball, clear of friends and foe, and only Smith in goal stood between the ball and its billet. McPhail released his shot before the goalie was on him, but the latters eye was still in when he took the ball with his legs. Thus developed the tragic seconds for Aberdeen. The ball went towards the left off Smiths knees, there was a scurry for it, and a consequent heap, but Rangers Smith got the first decisive foot to it, and through the tenantless goal the ball was hot hard and sure. Aberdeen had been battling against a devastating breeze throughout the first half, and as there was time and no more to take the centre kick after Rangers goal and before the interval whistle it was not Aberdeens lucky day. Yet we must dismiss Aberdeen as Rangers dismissed them. Rangers had two crocks on the same wing second half, Brown and McPhail. Aberdeens first half play promised the old Cup again bidding good-bye to Ibrox, but it was Aberdeen who said farewell. They had the beating of rangers, who laboured heavily in team work, but those fascinating Aberdeen forward moves flashed only to fade. They produced the best football in the game but could not sustain it. Rangers made it hard for themselves, hence the interference of a lucky win. Had they got another goal there would have been no more anxiety anywhere, anytime, yet had that late-on shot of Mills been a foot wilder of Dawson we would sure have had a Pittodrie replay. Aberdeen had two disallowed goals, and rangers one, but in each case the referees decision was correct. Mills first netter came after a signalised foul on Dawson, though it was a pity to see such a bonny shot discounted. McPhail was the refused marksman for Rangers, as Marshall still impeding the goalkeeper, looked offside, though this is a moot point to be considered later, as a defender had played the ball out to McPhail. Possibly the referee detected an infringement otherwise. Moores second disallowed goal for Aberdeen was never a counter before he touched the ball. He was clearly offside, with Simpson and company upfield in attack. It was a disappointing game as a whole, possibly through the conditions. The wind-swept wings gave no speculation that way, and both attacks were sticky. The best attacking ideas, the give and receive pass, came from Aberdeen, but puff. The honours go to Aberdeens defence as a whole and Smith in particular. Falloon defied tabulation he was a rollicking boy everywhere, and always he came up. There was another Irishman from Aberdeen Paddy Moore who was the liveliest member of either attack until he got an accidental boot on his face. He came back to enjoy more after changing position. These were the only picturesque figures in a poor canvas, unless we include Simpson, who gave furtive displays of high-class constructive ability. Mills gave us none of those expected thrills, the odd times not counting and Aberdeen disappointed most in attack. Their wing halfs were grand tacklers, Fraser in skill and Thomson in strength, but touch in attack was not so apparent. The lively Moore got inequivalent support, and thats all need be said about the Dons attack. Rangers were disappointing as a squad and played a defeatist game during some stages of the second half. There was apparent little reliance on the inner defence and that was not impressive. I am convinced that too much is placed on Simpson on this respect.
