McDonald
Hunter (2)
Match Information
Attendance: 22,000
Referee: J.W.R. Ferguson (Falkirk)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The Rangers sustained their first defeat for the season in the League competition on Saturday. They had previously drawn a couple of matches, but so well had the side been doing that it was not expected in official club circles that a beating would come along for some time. The game was one of the most interesting of the season, as least so far as the two clubs were concerned. There was not a dull minute in the whole ninety, and the spectators were kept on the tip-toe of excitement all the time. In the first half the Rangers pressed almost continuously, but the forwards ran up against an uncommonly strong defence. Clever up to a point the ‘Light Blues’ forwards were often beaten when they came into contact with Davidson and Rombach – the Airdrie inseparables at back – and Duncan at goal. They had opportunities to score, which they did not utilise. Smith, who with Kyle, exhibited delightful outfield footwork, elected to try a shot himself too often, instead of sending the ball across the goal to his waiting colleagues. When it did come across, Campbell was for once, found wanting – at any rare, he never got time to get in his shot. The half-backs also tried to get goals, but their elevation was usually a bit too high. At the interval Mr Walker, the Airdrie manager, declared that if his team got the first goal they would win, so great was his faith in the ability of the defence. His prognostication came off right. Airdrie played like a different side. The forwards had apparently made up their minds to do some work, and they were seen covering the ground with long swinging passes, which seemed to upset the Ibrox backs. Clever work all round ended in Hunter beating both backs and scoring. Then a strenuous fight set in. The Rangers buckled to, and Alex Smith, changing his tactics, swung across a number of lovely passes. Shot after shot was directed at Duncan, only to be succeeded by save after save. After thirty minutes he was beaten by a hard shot from McDonald. Most people were of opinion that Airdrie would now fall away, but such was not the case. From the centre kick the forwards went off towards Newbigging, and the attack ended in Hunter getting a second goal. The Ibrox side played desperately after this, but without success, and the Airdrieonians left the field jubilantly shaking hands with each other. If the Rangers appeared unfortunate to lose, faulty tactics and a brilliant defence on the other side were the main factors in defeat. Beside the goalkeeper and backs, Findlay (the best half-back on the field), McGran, Thomson and Hunter did well for the winners; and the Rangers best men were May, Kyle, Smith and Livingstone.
