S Young
Hogg
A Bennett pen
W Reid xx, +1
Yuille
Gordon
Hogg
Match Information
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: J Lyons (Hamilton)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The difference between the play in the first half of the game at Ibrox Park and that after the interval could hardly have been more pronounced, the early proceeding having little suggestion about them of a decisive Airdrie reverse. In fact for half an hour the indication were all the other way, the visitors giving a capital all-round display, and leading by a goal cleverly secured by Sam Young after twenty-five minutes play. The visiting forwards at this stage gave an exceptionally good account of themselves. Neilson and Davidson in the out-side wing positions being very much in the picture, and making the Ibrox backs show to disadvantage by the easy way they outwitted them. The Airdrie forwards spread themselves well, and maintained a free wide-passing game with much success, the astute long passes of Thomson and Donaldson to the extreme men on the other side of the field often enabling the Broomfield men to make progress. A few minutes after getting the opening goal, Thomson nearly repeated the operation, a splendid shot of his just grazing the post. It took the Rangers rear division a long time to settle, Lock and Gordon being the only men who were playing to form, but they latterly found their bearings, and for the last fifteen minutes of the first half the home forwards got a great deal more of the ball, and were more than due the equalising goal, which they secured before the interval. Gordon had one or two great tries from the middle line, his efforts, which had any amount of sting in them, just taking the outside of the post. Ewart distinguished himself by the way he diverted a scorcher sent in by Alex Smith, and he also did well when he prevented a long drooping shot of Hogg’s from getting below the bar. From a melee in the Airdrie goalmouth Hogg at last got the ball home. It was a pity that such a good game should be spoiled, but a little before half-time Mackie, the Airdrie left back, was unfortunately so severely lamed that he was of no use to his side subsequently. He turned out after the interval, but the poor chap would have been better off, and the visitors’ captain erred in judgment in allowing him to resume. He latterly had to retire for good midway through the second half. The mishap to Mackie detracts from the Rangers’ performance in the closing period, when they scored on six occasions, and were simply all over their opponents. Still, with all due allowance for the weakened Airdrie defence, the Rangers’ forwards must get the credit of playing brilliantly. Every man in the line did his part, with Hogg, who could not complain of want of work, specially prominent. Bennett was in the act of scoring when he was brought down illegitimately a few yards from goal. He took the penalty kick himself, and made no mistake. A fine slip ahead by the same player to Reid gave the centre the chance of going right through and beating Ewart. Not long after the Rangers’ prolific scoring centre fastened on to a fine centre from Alex smith, and drove through quite out of the custodian’s reach. Hogg was cutting in from the right wing when he was badly tripped up just outside the penalty area, and Gordon, from the free kick, sent the ball with terrific force from a difficult angle into the net. The debacle was completed by goals from Yuille and Hogg in turn. The winning forwards did not accomplish all this without very effective backing up by their half-backs, who besides stopping the Airdrie forwards co-operated with their own in fine style. Lock in the second half was not often called upon, but he has one specially fine double save when the visitors looked almost certain of getting another crumb of comfort. The Airdrieonians can only stand criticism in the first half, when all did well, Ewart, Duff and Nelson calling for special mention. The centre-half especially put in a tremendous amount of work, and had a good deal to do with the Rangers’ forwards taking so long to get settled. On the winning side Hogg gave abundant evidence that he is well worth plying with the ball. The burly Englishman, who found Yuille in the second half a partner after his own heart, had a regular day out. His centres were as a rule, models of accuracy, and he showed his judgment once or twice by waiting till his comrades got up before crossing the ball. Reid was very effective, and an opportunist at goal; Bennett’s dribbling and passing were a treat; and Alex Smith’s display did not suggest anything of the veteran stage.
