Fleming
Paterson 43
J Bowie 89
Match Information
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: T Robertson (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
As I entered the Rangers’ pavilion in the company of a once famous Ibrox athlete, I was greeted with the remark – “would you believe it, I was almost chosen today to keep goal!” The speaker was Mr AB McKenzie. In the days when James McIntyre, John Cameron and John Muir comprised the half-back line of the ‘Light Blues’ an old Kinning Park, ‘A B’ was the handyman of the team. In emergency, he was first choice. Willingly he dropped into the place assigned to him in the team, and often he volunteered. I have seen ‘AB’ adorn every position in the field, from goal to wing. A more enthusiastic footballer never donned a jersey. Mr McKenzie has a pretty wit. I dismissed instantly ye notion of a resurrected veteran keeping goal for the Rangers in a vital First League match. On the way upstairs, Mr McKenzie informed me seriously that goalkeeper Farrington had dislocated an elbow while hurriedly leaving his residence to take his place in the team! This last minute dilemma was rough on the officials. Into the breach stepped RG Campbell! Who more able and willing than the captain to rally his men and set whose manly display in the cup final last month, has played back, half-back, and forward with equal courage and skill. The puzzled crown were amused at some of Campbell’s early anticipatory movements. Before the game was over he was roundly cheered for one or two lofty punts, an odd clearance from long range like that shot of Blair’s in the second half, and a clearance at much risk to himself in the closing minutes, when he ran out and saved an awkward situation. Bridgeton’s enthusiast experienced a new sensation in the debut at goal of Roger Henderson of Carluke. I saw this well-proportioned stripling on trial earlier in the week against Kilmarnock. He has the stamp of a goal-keeper. His picking-up of the greasy ball, and general play were convincing testimony of ability. The rain and wind depressed the onlooker. Despite the cheerless condition, fully 18,000 spectators watched a game that was full of life and presented several interesting features. The major portion of the crowd got a bit of a shock when Fleming got through off Collins’s pass, and shot a clever goal for the Clyde. Campbell had no chance to get to the ball, even had he possessed the skill and daring of Herbert Lock. Before this happened the Clyde goal ran at least two narrow escapes. The best play came from the ‘Light Blues’. The Ibrox men struck quickly an accurate combination forward, and the half-backs gave the Shawfield forwards no chance to open out. The surprise was all the greater therefore when ‘Dusty’ scored. Unexpected success was succeeded by a quick change in the Clyde attack. The left wing, with the co-operation of the centre and half-backs, began to control the ball better. Some of the movements were brightly attractive to watch. The improvement did not last. The Rangers continued to force the game, but score they could not until close on the interval, when Reid screwed the ball across to Paterson. Lying open the youthful right-winger took his chance, and the score was levelled. There was another ring among the crowd after that. Lucky to cross over on equal terms, the Clyde deserved credit for their defensive work. The slippery turf was against the backs, Blair and Farrell most of all. The ball did not always go true from the foot, hence a few unusual returns from Blair, whose energy was unquestioned. Early in the second half, which again favoured the Rangers, Reid got a goal from Smith’s pass, and in the last moments of the game, Bowie capped a splendid game on his part by scoring a third goal. The play of the winners was not exaggerated by the result. In forward play the Rangers were vastly superior. With a centre to lead out the attack, the defence of the Clyde would not be so overworked. Their periods of relief would be more numerous. Only then will the balance of the side be restored. One of these days the right man will come along, and Bridgeton will come into its own. Failing a change, the Clyde ought to persevere with the player the directors consider best fitted for centre position and play him week after week. With the caption at goal, Gordon was resourceful and sure at right back against the best section of the Clyde attack. Ormonde goes on improving, and is well worthy a place in this talented team. Logan was the bustling spoiler at half-back, but Galt and Hendry were equally aggressive, and like Logan, keen to score. One is so accustomed to see skilful forcing half-backs at Ibrox, that praise is superfluous. I see no forwards to sustain attack like the Rangers. They served up one of their brightest displays. Smith, Reid, and Bowie proved most dangerous, but there was much to commend in the movements of Bennett and Paterson. Experience will remedy the only defect in this latest display from the boyish right-winger, Paterson. Less shooting and more studied centres will increase his value two-fold. All season the Clyde half-backs have had to bear the burden. Walker, McAndrew and Collins did well at Ibrox, the centre –half especially. The greatest difference between the teams was the penetrative power and combination of the home forwards. Clyde’s best couple were Carmichael and Stevens. Well as Blair played I have seen him much better, but here again the state of the ground had to be considered.
