T Cairns <45
Match Information
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: A Allan (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Dumbarton were offered a rare chance to get their first points at Ibrox, and they made strenuous efforts, but fate was not kind to them. They hardly deserved to lose, for they held the whip-band in the second half, and several good shots were stopped more by luck than anything else. Indeed, luck and Lock saved Rangers in the last minute of the game, which was contested in spirited fashion – a real old fashioned Rangers-Dumbarton game. It was unfortunate for Rangers to lose the services of Paterson fifteen minutes before the interval, for the Bellahouston boy was in delightful trim, and was the initiator of all Rangers early raids. He resumed after the interval, but his injury severely affected him until the end. In the early stages Rangers moved along methodically, but gradually dash and determination superseded science and resource. Seven minutes only had passed when Rangers assumed the lead through Cairns, who caught on to one of Paterson’s lovely centres after Reid had failed to gather. I fancy Hamilton had prepared himself to negotiate the converting touch from Reid, and was taken by surprise when Cairns dashed in to smash the ball into the net. The outlook was not at all bright for Dumbarton, who had to rely mostly of Ferguson to transfer play. The wing man made the most of his pace, and often he left Logan and Craig standing, but his centres were nullified with a regularity which must have disheartened him. So far Rangers were the more likely to augment their score than to concede a goal, and once Reid hit the crossbar and the rebounding ball was driven in with terrific force by Hendry. Hamilton, however, fell on the leather and cleared in the scrimmage which followed. Encouraged by their goalkeeper’s confidence, the Dumbarton forwards again came into touch with Rangers’ defence, and shots from Thom, Gettins and Travers kept Lock busy. Thom was hurt and received attention on the track; then Logan was kicked on the face, and while he was being patched up Paterson sustained an injury to the leg while centreing from the line. Paterson was in the pavilion to the interval, and with his retiral Dumbarton’s opportunity arrived. They hammered at Rangers’ defence persistently, but could not get the ball past Lock. Paterson pluckily resumed after resting-time, but it was evident from the way he limped on to the field that he would be of little value. Rangers boldly went into the attack, but the weakened vanguard was easily mastered, and after the first five minutes Dumbarton were the aggressors to the end. It would weary you if I went into detail. Dumbarton seldom slackened in their pressure, and they were unlucky not to score. Lock, too, was in rare form and saved all manner of shots. Now and again Rangers broke cover, and Hendry was presented with two fine scoring chances, but each time he shot wide. The closing minutes were most exciting, and not till the final whistle sounded did Dumbarton give up hope. They deserved to draw. In Hamilton Dumbarton have a clever, alert and fearless goalkeeper. Thomson was the better back, and he went through the game coolly. McGrory had the measure of Hendry. I liked Riddell best of the halfs, but all were an improvement on the last time I saw them at Paisley. Gettins did well at centre, but Travers was the man who opened out the play. Thom and Ferguson paid their way. Rangers’ weakness during the second half was in the forward line. Paterson was useless, and I did not think much of Hendry, who played his second game at outside left. Rangers had to rely wholly on Reid, Cairns and Bowie, and with the centre having every movement covered, the inside game collapsed. Brown was most conspicuous in the half-back division, and tried hard to do two men’s work. Kelso and Craig were frequently at fault. And it was well for Rangers that Lock was on one of his best days.
