Gordon
S Duncan
Match Information
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: T Robertson (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Although Airdrieonians never looked likely to repeat last season’s sensational result, they gave Rangers a rare run at Ibrox – for an hour. Afterwards Rangers did pretty much as they liked, and had they been at all anxious, I believe they could have reversed that 5-0 score of a year ago. Both sets of forwards were clever in the open, but there was a lot of poor shooting on either side, and when Gordon whizzed the ball past Donald after half-an-hour’s play it was really the first good shot. Bennett, who had began in sparkling style, had a good deal to do with the opening goal. He had manoeuvred round Watson nicely when he was brought down, and the free kick, taken by Duncan appeared to make an opening for Bennett, who, however, allowed the ball to travel to the better placed Gordon. Gordon instantly shot into the net, and Donald, who, with other of his colleagues, had been taken by surprise by Bennett’s elusive movement, was left helpless. Airdrieonians had previously given Manderson and Muir a lot of trouble. Manderson came within an ace of placing past Lock, but the Irishman was Rangers’ saviour hen he tipped away the ball from Todd, and later, from Anderson, as each had been on the point of shooting from close range. At the other end, Cairns failed badly, and Reid had a shot charged down in the goalmouth, and more than once the Airdrie defence was a little lucky. Indeed, just on the interval, Bennett netted, but either Paterson, Reid or Cairns, who had all been trying to find the net was offside. So Airdrieonians were a goal down at the interval, when, on the general run of play, no injustice would have been done them had they been on terms of equality. On resuming, Airdrieonians altered their forward line, Todd changing places with Anderson, who had sustained an injury. The new formation worked well for a time, Todd often eluding Logan, and with Donaldson and Thomson moving along well, no surprise would have been expressed had the equalising goal accrued. Thomson had one rare effort which beat Lock, but Manderson, on the goal-line, kicked out, and a strong shot from Donaldson bounced off Logan. Rangers were playing too much on the right wing, the short passing game between Bennett and Duncan always coming to – nothing. However, Paterson and Cairns had their turn, and an infringement against Paterson, near the corner-flag, led to Rangers second goal. Paterson placed nicely across to Logan, whose shot rebounded off an opponent to Duncan, who drove the ball past a bunch of players into the net. Donald could not have saved for the simple reason that he was unsighted, and never saw the ball until it was in the net. Airdrieonians could only raise an occasional gallop after this, and one of their few excursions to Lock proved disastrous to themselves. The Airdrie defence had opened out, when Bennett let Duncan away on a clear course. Duncan centred at the right moment to Reid, who took the ball on the drop and sent it singing past Donald. ‘Twas a grand goal – a typical Reid one. It was a big disappointment to Airdrieonians when Segt. Reid did not make an appearance. The forward line was not selected until the last minute, but you might have thought the quintette had been playing regularly, so well did they combine together. Mair was a difficult problem to Bowie and Muir for a long time, and Todd, when on the wing, got across several fine balls. Thomson and Donaldson gave admirable support, but seldom could Anderson get past Logan. Still, when they came into the shooting zone, the Airdrie forwards failed, partly because of the keen quick tackling of Rangers halfs. The Broomfield half-backs played energetically and effectively. Knox was a host in himself, and Comrie, although inclined to be vigorous, did well. Mackie, behind him, was in grand trim, and was, without doubt, the best back on view. Rangers were not so powerful in defence, Manderson made several blunders, but quickly recovered, and on at least three occasions he robbed the visitors of a goal. Bowie was late in finding his game, but in the second half he was in his best mood. Gordon was limping for a time, but throughout he supported his forwards grandly. Cairns and Paterson were difficult to hold, but they had not much of the ball as Duncan and Bennett. Reid more than anybody, missed Gunner Cunningham, for there were few of these passed up midfield, and Reid had really only one scoring chance. He took it.
