Russell 39
S Archibald 41
Match Information
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: T Dougray (Bellshill)
Matchday: Wednesday
Match Trivia
Chief honours in a gruelling contest, yet a delightful exhibition, were borne by the Broomfield defenders. In the closing stages, when the Rangers tightened their grip and kept sweeping down in open formation, the sustained defiance of Jock Ewart, Allan and McQueen was something to admire. George McQueen’s clean kicking, if more spectacular than the breaking-up qualities of his partner, was just equally effective. The young right back stood up to Alan Morton and Tommy Cairns like a hero. ‘The wayside’ goalkeeper has never done a better day’s work, and that is saying something. Once ‘Jock’ was a trifle lucky to find Archibald cross strike the inside of a post and rebound behind off his legs – still his display was superb. Morton, Cairns and Cunningham all fired expresses from point-black range, but the old Bradford City custodian dealt with them in brilliant fashion. Airdrie’s real testing time as a defensive force came in the last twenty minutes, and there were many pulsating moments as the Ibrox forwards strove with might and main to pilot the ball into the net. Had the verdict hung on the amount of pressing done, Rangers would have been acclaimed winners. There was a swing in their attack, which was led all over the front, that was absent from Airdrie’s forward work. Still, in the first half, with the breeze behind them, the Scottish Cupholders frequently had the Ibrox defenders guessing. Most of the work was initiated on the right, and the triangular tit-bits of Russell, Reid and Preston caused Willie Robb much anxiety. But big Willie was kept more anxious than active. Hugh Gallacher joined in many of those raids, but like the others Hughie clung to the ball as if it were a ‘verra brither’, and the line bunched so closely in front of the Rangers’ goal that Manderson and McCandless found it comparatively easy to save Robb from worrying. If not doing quite so much attacking the Rangers’ forward quintette were more lively and dangerous when in the vicinity in Ewart. Cunningham’s long, swinging passes let Archibald and Henderson make ground quickly, and some of Henderson’s drives brought the goalkeeper into action. Morton, though finding difficulty in eluding Preston and Allan swept some lovely balls into the middle. As things were running, with the interval approaching, a score looked ore likely at the Airdrie end, but matters turned out differently. And what a soft goal! A free kick was awarded the Broomfield Park fellows, Bennie placed the ball into the middle of the goal, and McCandless evidently deceived Robb as to his intentions. At any rate, ‘Bucksey’ quickly stepped aside as the ball was dropping, and the goalkeeper had only time to shove out a leg. Neither Ranger got a second chance to clear – Russell and Gallacher were immediately on the spot, and Russell had only to tip the ball over the line. Rangers burst down the field and after Henderson had ‘skiffed’ a post, Archibald took the ball on the drop twelve yards out and smashed it into the top corner of the net – a lovely goal, ‘Archie!’ Turned round, it was mostly Rangers. In the opening stages Gallacher and his colleagues bore down occasionally, and once the whole line took part in a pretty movement. Robb’s goal was left open to Gallacher by McCandless slipping, but Hughie shot straight into Robb’s hands instead of past them. Then the ‘Light Blues’ made most of the running, but although Archibald kept lobbing the ball in front of Ewart with unerring accuracy and the others fired into goal, all their efforts to score were unavailing. Rangers were the more convincing side – especially forward. They carried no passenger. Young Weldon, while plucky enough, hadn’t the power for such a game. The field was too sticky, too gluey for more than him. Much of Neil’s work went for nought. But clever as was much of Airdrie’s outfield play, the front line kept too closely together, and – it wanted punch. Someone was required to ‘boot’ the ball. In marked contrast was the open play of the Ibrox five, of whom Cunningham was the general-in-chief. Big ‘Andy’s’ fielding of the ball was a treat. Henderson proved a skilful leader, but his luck failed him completely in the closing stages. Preston and McDougall were ahead of Bennie in the Broomfield mid-line; Dixon was the most effective of the Rangers’ trio. ‘Lil Arthur’ seldom lost contact with Gallacher. Meiklejohn had an easier task than Muirhead, who was moody. But for his fatal mistake McCandless was as good as nay back afield.
