Thornton 15, 49
Lyness 54
A Venters 87
Match Information
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: W.S. Gilchrist (Bellshill)
Matchday: Wednesday
Match Trivia
Without running much risk of getting the retort nasty, you might say that the score scarcely did Arbroath justice, and that Rangers had still the necessary bit of finish in front, and the greater resource in the rear. No one got a real sporting chance on the iron-hard pitch, which was sanded down the middle from goal to goal. Often just when it seemed as if a player had got into perfect position for a shot, away would go his pins, or the ball would take an unexpected turn, or even a half-turn which was just as bad. On the whole, the Red Lichties had the worst of the breaks in that respect, and Dawson would be thankful for that. On two occasions, at least, he seemed to be helpless to avert a score when fortune smiled on him and glowered at Arbroath. Apart from that the Gatfield boys were nothing like so far out of the game as the result might suggest, but I thought the forwards were often too shy to shoot. Still, I rate the entire bundle heroes on the day. Before Rangers got the lead 15 minutes after the start, Hughes had two shots of a pretty brand, and Dawson had to be quick about the saving of them. In scoring, Thornton clicked the ball into the net when McKillop put across a dainty centre. There were no fringes about this goal. Arbroath were battlers, and when the right wing and Admas came through together, and pierced all the outfield defences it looked a certain equaliser, but luck was with Ibrox, and the ball was cleared somehow or other. Not a bad first half for Arbroath, but nine minutes of the second half made things not so good. In four minutes, Thornton, close in, shot a second goal from Turnbulls centre, and I thought justified the appeal for off-side. Five minutes later, there was no doubt about the legality of a third goal bolted by Lyness who was sent through by Thornton after Venters had originated the movement. The last goal was a Venters single-handed affair, scored five minutes from the end, with he defence rather backward in an attempt to spike the Ranger. Before this fourth one was registered, Dawsons goal had two escapes from Gould and Adams. Winners defence good, and Galloway an intelligent half-back who knew the value of the low pass ahead. This, I think, is one to be heard from. The forwards had the lighter touch which suited the ground, and in this way made openings better than the Arbroath forwards were able to do. I will say that the losers died game Robertson had no chance at all with any of the goal, nor would I criticise the backs except in the case of the last goal. The half-backs, and none more than Vannet, worked hard, and the forwards did not get re reward that would have been their due for all their plucky striving.
