A Venters 25
Napier 60
Little 85
Match Information
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Peter Craigmyle (Aberdeen)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
League Decider - Its maybe a good job the football season is packing in, for the referees are all going sickly. With five minutes to go and the score one goal each Peter Craigmyle awarded Rangers a goal If that was a goal then my Aunt Penelope is a squadron-leader in the RAF. Little was the lad who put the ball in the net, from a high cross which came down near the upright. And if Little doesnt know he handed the ball, his hands must have been numb. It was so blatant that everyone in the Press-box was unanimous a unique occasion. Obviously, Peter Craigmyle didnt see the offence. If he did, however, then he must have allowed it to pass because the Play used only ONE hand. The Falkirk players were terribly upset - and rightly so. They persuaded the ref to consult his linesman. Which was another bad break for the Bairns, because this particular linesman was on the opposite side from the incident, and quite reasonably, hadnt seen the infringement. A scene was indicated. The Falkirk players looked as if they might refuse to line up. Archie Miller sat down on the grass. The ref hustled around, grabbed the ball, laid it on the spot which seemed to reconcile Falkirk to the fact theyd been put on the spot. Anyhow, the game went on to a filleted finish. Falkirks only hope of beating Rangers is at snooker. The referee can see everything that happens there. Up to that point it had been a fast-running, keen-tackling match. A no-surrender game, with movements of grace performed at a pace. There had been two brilliant goals. Venters pivoted on the space of a moths yawn and flashed a rare low ball into the net after half an hour. Fourteen minutes after the interval, Charlie Napier gathered up in the loose, tore ahead, and baffled Jerry Dawson with a great twenty-yarder. From then on, the battle raged. Attack, counter-attack. McPherson blared over the bar in astounding fashion at one end. McCulloch does likewise from six yards at the other. As the game drew to a close, Falkirk had the initiative, but not the finiative. Venters and Smith were the razor-edge of the Light Blues attack. All five Falkirk forwards played as if theyd used their blade too often. Dave McCulloch, playing his second game in less than a day, always looked dangerous but never stepped out of the frame. Napier and Miller were the best forwards. All Falkirk half-backs played splendidly but Ive seen Symon and Woodburn more definite. The defenders on both sides played well. Rangers weak-spots were the extreme wings. Waddell in particular being only a shadow of the boy we know and a shadow in a watery sun. So, there we are, Rangers have won the Regional Championship. No one will deny they have been our most consistent team and they themselves must surely wish they had won this decider in a better fashion.
