Thornton (2)
A Venters
Match Information
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: unknown - to be confirmed
Matchday: Wednesday
Match Trivia
Although not productive to the same breathless extent of the thrills and excitement of the first encounter, the Rangers and Falkirk replay at Ibrox Stadium last night was a rouser. Rangers deserved their win, but to Falkirk people the manner od its actual achievement could not have been satisfactory. The winning goal was hotly disputed, Falkirk players claiming that Venters fouled the ball in bringing it down to score. Over the piece the bulk of the attacking was done by Rangers, but Falkirks defence, standing well up to many terrific offensive movements, and frequently the attack made highly dangerous moves that might easily have brought a goal. This because only Shaw, and in slightly less degree Gray, were safe. Symon and McKillop were too often caught out of position, while Woodburn was troubled by Napier and later by Keyes, when the latter went to centre. Rangers forwards were an improvement on Saturday and the dashing, skilful Thornton had grand support from the men on either side of him. Waddell was a fine winger and had Peat in hot water on many occasions. Napier at centre for Falkirk was inclined to do too much on his own. Miller was the cleverest of the Falkirk team the outside men of whom never were really allowed to get going. The first big thrill came after a dozen quick minutes. Rangers defence in a complete mix-up luckily blocked close-in efforts from Keyes and Napier, with Dawson nowhere. Jerry, however, was very much all there to deal first with a hard grounder from Napier and a second later make a truly marvellous save from a Kenny Dawson header. At the other end McKie was prominent with the interception of cross balls. What a glorious chance was muffed by Waddell. Venters made the running, carrying the ball 40 yards upfield before slipping it forward. Thornton and Shankley went for it and the leather spun to the unmarked outside-right eight yards from goal. McKie was given time to throw himself and block Waddells rather timid shot. Then Duncanson had the hardest of luck. A rocket of a shot smashing the crossbar with McKie helpless. In the 28th minute Falkirk scored and at a time when Rangers looked likelier to count. A free kick by McPhee sent the ball out to Dawson, who slickly crossed it. Leyes made contact and shot, but the ball struck the Rangers keeper who had rushed out while his mates in defence stood looking on as if paralysed. The ball bounced to Napier who first-time flashed it into the rigging. Five minutes after the restart a miskick by Woodburn saw Keyes running through and only Symon dashing across to make a timely tackle prevented Dawson from doing a bit of back-bending. Then Jerry dribbled the ball ten yards out from goal and there was an exciting scramble before a clearance was made. At last, after terrific pressure, a goal for Rangers. Shankly headed out and Thornton, standing ten yards out, caught it on the drop to slam it home. A great goal. Rangers went out to drive home this success and the Falkirk defence had to stand up to something approaching a battering ram. Even Gray and Shaw were up at Falkirks 18 yards line. When the Bairns did get on the move as an offensive team, Keyes went into centre and Miller to inside right, and Napier to inside left. In the twenty-third minute Thornton scored again. Symon, near the touchline, sent a high one goalwards. Up bobbed the Ibrox centre to mod the ball down well out of McKies reach. Rangers deserved the lead, but Falkirk were not done with and in the 30th minute equalised. Dawson came out for a cross from the left, missed it, and Carruthers sent the ball back goalwards. A scramble and then Keyes made contact to push the ball home. Time 30 minutes. Six minutes from the finish Rangers got the winner. A cross from Waddell was brought down by Venters and bashed into the net from eight yards out. Rangers went through 3-2 on aggregate
