Rankin 23
B McPhail 27
Lindsay
B McPhail 75
Missed Penalties
B McPhail pen miss 46
Match Information
Attendance: 30,226
Referee: T Dougray (Bellshill)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
A game that was chock full of thrills had an impressive prelude when the players stood to attention while the band played ‘Onward Cgtistain Soldiers’ in memory of Earl Haig, a reverent silence being maintained all round the enclosure. On a pitch that became a quagmire, the football was marvellously good even if occasionally passes went short. Rangers, although playing distinctly better as a team, had to fight hard all the way. They lost the first goal against the run of the game, got a lead of two goals, were brought back to one and then had to go all out to get another to make the issue safe. On such a day, anything was possible, and so long as Cowdenbeath were only a goal behind in the second half, the tension never for a moment relaxed. Certainly, the Fifers can take credit for making a game of it even if occasionally they were lucky to see shots strike the post and the bar. In the first 15 minutes, the Ibrox forwards made the running and Falconer saved grandly from McPhail and Fleming. There was an exciting period when all of the home front line had a chance to shoot at close range, and Archibald finished it by driving against the post. Falconer then had a magnificent save from a Fleming header, and he went out and down to foil first Morton and then Fleming. Meantime, the Cowdenbeath forwards had been making recurring raids which usually had a dangerous look, but it was something of a sensation when Rankin rammed home the opening goal, after 22 minutes. Rangers’ defence seemed rather at fault but, anyhow, equality was restored in four minutes when McPhail beat Falconer after a dashing run and centre by Archibald. Rangers immediately took the bit between their teeth, and within minutes, Fleming headed a second goal from Morton’s pretty centre, while two minutes later McPhail went through by himself and shot a third goal, the ball which had tremendous power behind it going off Falconer’s hands and over his head into the net. If anyone imagined the Fifers had taken the count, there was a rude surprise in store for them. In three minutes, the forwards came sweeping along, and when a free kick was conceded by a Rangers half-back, Chambers placed to Lindsay, who beat Yuill with a shot almost similar to Rankin’s. It was hammer and tongs until the interval, with either side likely to score. But in the second half Rangers were top dog, though it took them 30 minutes to score again, and then Cowdenbeath vigorously disputed the point. In the first minute after the interval, Morton was brought down inside the penalty-box, but Falconer saved McPhail’s spot-kick. The pressure applied by the Ibrox attack was terrific, but Falconer and his confederates fought gallantly with their backs to the wall. At last, McPhail got the ball as it came off the bar from Muirhead’s shot and netted. Cowdenbeath claimed that Morton had impeded Falconer, but after consulting a linesman Referee Dougray adhered to his award of a goal. That virtually settled the tie. To my mind, the winning factor was McPhail, who has never shown better initiative. But the Rangers’ front line, as a whole, was much superior to the Fifers. Cunningham and Archibald were a fine forcing wing. Fleming was closely watched by Dixon and had the worst of the mud to play on, but he did well. Morton’s one fault was a tendency to hold the ball when he might have centred to advantage, but clearly, he was aiming at getting through for a shot. Rangers had the better forcing half-back line, although Cowdenbeath were also well served in that division. At back both McDonald and Moyes were stubborn, resolute defenders. No back, however, did better than Hamilton, whose tackling was incisive and his clearing strong and sure. It is true that when the two goals were lost something seemed wrong with, he defence, but the mud, I think had a lot to do with it, and I certainly would not blame Yuill. Pullar and Leonard were the outstanding Fife forwards, although Rankin often put about delightful passes and opened out the game to advantage. It was a teethy tussle, and Referee Dougray handed out a few warnings, but the sporting element was conspicuous too.
