Dr Marshall 4
Jeffrey 50
Match Information
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: unknown - to be confirmed
Matchday: Monday
Match Trivia
Saturdays display at Ibrox made yesterdays Cup-tie on the same arena look all the more disappointing. Rangers had not the opposition of the Austrians and were, therefore not inspired to anything great. There was the excuse, also that Rangers could not be expected to be in their friskiest mood after Saturdays exertions. I know what it takes out of one to play two games so near each other on such a difficult footing. Nevertheless, though Rangers got a lucky break in a freak goal off Marshalls body, and Arbroath held out, then pulled level after five minutes of the second half, I never could see any doubt about the result. Arbroath may be congratulated on their game fight, but it stops at that. They were really outclassed and only Rangers poor finishing delayed the issue. Without being a good team, Rangers were far ahead of the Angus boys, who were almost entirely individualistic. Cohesion was almost non-existent among the Arbroath forwards and half-backs. I would single out only two Arbroath players for special mention Fordyce at right-back and Lauder at inside-left. Fordyce was a stout defender against the keenest wing on the field, and Lauder had good constructive ideas which were lost on his mates. Boath I would mention as a likely right-half, but Lowe, of whom much was expected did not quite fill the bill. On a pitch which called for experienced balance in working towards construction, Arbroaths crudities were fully exposed. Even Rangers found it difficult to work position. I thought it was a reaction on Rangers play after Saturdays strain, coupled with too easy looking a proposition to the early stages. It was made more difficult for Rangers through these circumstances once play had warmed up, or shall I say, Luke warmed up. You will see I am making excuses and believe me; they are necessary for this poor game. I was sorry the Austrians were looking on, for it was bound to give them a bad impression. Had Rangers gone in for some forward exhibitions play it might have altered the funereal aspect of the tie, but they stuck of the W formation, and McDonald policed too much after playing good forcing stuff to begin with. There was no need for this at all, and the spectators, I am afraid, lost all their entertainment. Rangers defence was not at all impressive on occasion. R Hamilton and Dawson did not have a happy afternoon. Craig and Meiklejohn revealed the old head, Meiklejohn easily being the best all-round player. Main fell away after fine opening promise in which he used both feet to advantage. English was the best of all the forwards as a distributor, but off in his shooting. Smith bustled to effect and Marshall and McPhail seemed footsore on occasion after Saturdays plodding on the heavy ground. Still, it was in their finishing that Rangers forwards could mostly be criticised. Marshall got the credit of the first goal, the ball hitting his chest and going through in quite stoppable fashion, had Fordyce been more alert. This in four minutes. The same luck and Lowe would have equalised instead of striking the post midway through the first half. Jeffrays equaliser was a bit if a bombshell, the centre rushing through a left wing cross which Dawson missed five minutes resuming. From the centre kick Marshall restored Rangers lead without an Arbroath player touching the ball. Smith scored a third with an oblique shot in 13 minutes, and it was then a dawdle for Rangers. In the last half-hour McPhail, being injured, played on the left touch-line, with English inside and Smith centre
