Match ended 0-0
Match Information
Attendance: 28,000
Referee: J.S. Sinclair (Thornliebank)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
I will tell you candidly that I went to Ibrox yesterday thinking that I should see the celebrated Rangers go into the second round of the Scottish Cup not easily, but after a stiff struggle say with a goal or two lead! Yes, Dumbarton surprised me. I have seen Rangers play this season. I still fancy their chances of going a long way in the Cup-ties. I have studied Dumbartons performances and notice the doings of Geordie Livingstones boys. You can guess why, perhaps. Geordie and myself are very old friends and rivals! Of course, I had a word or two with the famous Scottish inside right before the match, and he took me aback a little when he showed his confidence in what was to happen. There would be very little in it, he said. So, I went outside expecting to see a very ding-dong struggle. I saw it, too! It was one of the hardest and most-gruelling Cup-ties I have seen for many years. Hardly as much of the dog-fight order as I have seen and experienced the other side of the Border. Theres more vigour and less football on these occasions in England, and the referee had a job to keep the players in hand sometimes. But at Ibrox yesterday I missed the style of football I have been accustomed to see in Scotland recently. In a measure Dumbarton were rather fortunate to share the spoils, but I tip my cap to their defence. The second half revealed a doggedness and determination which was absolutely tantalising to the Rangers. I wasnt surprised to see Jimmy Gordon change his position so much in the half. One time he was at half-back, then he came to onside right, and then he went to centre forward, and finally to inside left. What a roving commission! And his efforts to get a goal for his side towards the finish were well-nigh desperate. I didnt agree with James policy altogether. There were occasions when he actually impeded the working of the teams attack. I am a great believer in every man sticking to his place as far as possible. My opinion is that, if James Gordon thought a reshuffle necessary, he should have been content to merely change place with Bowie. The latter was doing A1, but James was just very anxious about the goal which never came. The Rangers wanted a start, and then it would have been all over. It was undoubtedly a fact that the side which got the first goal would have won the match. And Dumbarton came very near to getting the one desired goal. McDiarmid got a nice chance not long after the start. The ball came to him a little unexpectedly. If he had steadied himself, then gone ahead just for a yard, je would have beaten Lock, for he was unmarked. Instead, he shot straight away, and the ball went slightly wide. The Dumbarton players otherwise were never really dangerous in attack, whilst their opponents, against the wind, gave glimpses of their proper game. I liked the way in which Cunningham opened out the game in the first half. he fed his wingers and was always in the lookout for chances. One of his drives was very well saved by Miller. Archibald played the proper game. When he succeeded in beating his man, he swung the ball across without hesitation. It was impossible to indulge in carpet-weaving against such a cross wind. Now, Dumbarton were inclined to overdo the short-passing game, and I saw a big contrast between the attack. On several occasions the Scott Duncan-Bennett partnership was pretty and rather neat, but it was too close. The Dumbarton outside right should have imitated Archibald. The wind was helpful for him, and the conditions were such that the defenders could easily make a costly slip. And I wasnt impressed with the Rangers rear defenders. Ritchie often ballooned the ball, and both backs were none too comfortable when they found the opposing forwards lying well on to them. I didnt always like Mr Sinclairs refereeing. I think his decision regarding the throw-in are a little bit strained. One throw in by Scott Duncan 9of course, it wasnt his job) was a bit doubtful, but in the next few moments his second throw-in was quite in order, despite what Mr Sinclair thought. Then I think Dunbarton were rather unlucky in being adjudged offside so much I also think the referee should follow up the play a little closer. On several occasions he gave decisions at too long a range from the play. He was inclined to give fouls against Dumbarton which would have been ignored by most English referees. Ill give you one instance. Manderson and Duffus (J) went for the ball together, when it was lobbed pretty high from OConnell. Both men jumped to it at the same time. Manderson came off second beat he fell down. Sequel a foul against Duffus. I couldnt se the reason. The Rangers were not so good with the wind in their favour. They let the wind beat them. The inside men were inclined to bunch. True enough, the Dumbarton defence was augmented by forwards and were clearing the goal at almost any cost corners and free kick notwithstanding. Still, I think a little steadiness on the part of the Rangers forwards and half-backs who were inclined to get a bit wild, would have resulted in a success. I certainly thought that the Rangers men got a little excited against Dumbartons persistent defence, especially when Miller made some smart saves, and after Archibald had sent narrowly over the bar with the best shot of the match. A trifle lower it would have been very near it might have gone in. The only player in the Rangers attack to distinguish himself by consistent play in the closing stages was DR Paterson. He did not hold the ball unnecessarily. He got it across. Occasionally Dumbarton got out of the bit, but they never troubled Lock seriously. In fact, he only handled about twice. The only likely-looing affair was when Scott Duncan forced a corner and centred very accurately. An old head might have meant disaster for the Rangers, but as Jacky Robertson remarked to me There was no old head there, Steve. Manderson thumped the ball down the field too hard. He often sent it right out of play. There wasnt much good football towards the finish it was really a struggle by the Rangers for a goal at any price, and a heroic defence, not scientific by any means. I tell you what it was a few words. It was a real touch of the Barnsley style, and thats how Dunbarton drew. Just a few individual notes. Scott, the Dumbarton right half, took my eye, in the first half he was clever in breaking up attacks. He fed his right wing well. Scott had a big share in the draw. OConnell showed his beat form in the second half. He gave very valuable assistance to his full backs. Duffus (J) is only a youngster. He wants experience. I liked the way he followed up the ball. He never gave in if he didnt accomplish very much. McDiarmid is a very persistent player and versatile too. By dropping back on one occasion he got his side out of a nasty hole. Im not surprised to hear McGrory is wanted in England. He is a finely built chap for his job, and hes a top-notcher at it. Thom was disappointed. He fiddled too much instead of getting the ball across or playing to his partner. About the Rangers players! Cunningham, in the first half, played the proper Cup-tie game. He was unlucky in not scoring after beating a couple of men. I liked Archibalds crossing in the first half. it was delightful. He was very much like Rutherford in style. Dr Paterson is a brilliant left winger. Theres a scarcity of good left wingers just now. If I were on the English Selection Committee, I know my vote would go for the doctor, who I understand, is a Londoner. Until James Gordon began to roam a bit, he was class itself at right half. I watched Walls particularly in the second half. his useful work, however, was often lost. The Rangers forwards, as a whole, were far more superior in the first half then in the second. As I have said, the bunching business was no good. At Dumbarton I should have fancied the home teams chances, but just as I man concluding this report, I hear the replay is to be at Ibrox on Tuesday. I think the Rangers will win this time.
