B McPhail 3
Dr Marshall 13
Herd 57, xx
J Allan 84
Dr Marshall 87
Match Information
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: W Jamieson (Paisley)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Now this was a thriller! Fancy Rangers three up at the interval, and having to fight to save a point, which they did by getting a fourth goal four minutes from the end. It was great stuff, worth standing in the rain to watch. It was not that the Rangers had an off day. For the conditions they played some of the best football I have seem them play all season. They were the more consistent, more assertive team, but in the second half the Academicals forwards came away with a game that exactly suited the conditions, and their jabs at the Rangers defence had danger in them every time. Wright, do did not shine in the first half, was the Academicals sheet anchor after the turn. I think his saves from Archibald and English were really the vital thing, for he kept the Academicals in it; and right well did the rest answer, to Wrights inspiring example. When the Academicals led 4-3with four minutes to go, it looked all up with Rangers who, frankly, would have been desperately unlucky to lose, but all this gave the match its great thrill. Although there was a high wind, yet it was difficult to say whom it favoured for it veered about. Anyway, Rangers were a goal up five minutes after the start when McPhail ran in to head home from Archibalds corner kick. The Academicals showed no sign of the dumps at this, and in fact the Ibrox gaol had a narrow escape a minute later. But the home forwards were playing the stronger and more concerted game, and in 12 minutes Marshall scored a second goal. After a good innings by Academicals, the Rangers half-backs and forwards came away with some more delightful passing, and a minute from the interval McPhail made the opening for Smith to beat Wright, the left-winger having been well in to get the pass. So it looked very nice for Ibrox, but then came the fireworks. The second half had gone only a minute when Crawley, from the corner of the penalty box, let go a beauty and Hamilton was beaten high up. Rangers put on a heavy bit of sustained pressure, and it was then Wright came to the rescue. Then more thrills. The Academicals forwards went through, spread the Rangers rear, and Herd with a shot like Crawleys reduced the deficit to one. Next minute McPhail had the goal at his mercy from three yards and missed. That was another vital incident, Rangers kept attacking with gusto, but again Wright was there, and then way came the Academicals forwards once more and Herd sailed home another trim shot to equalise. Rangers vigorously protested on the ground that Crawley had fisted the ball through, and the referee consulted both linesmen, but the goal stood. A transformation, yes, but more to come, after Rangers had assaulted Wrights goal, King ran down the wing and centred, and Allan finding the ball come nicely to his feet, tapped it into the net to give the Academicals the lead. Lets take a breath. Rangers struggling now to save a point, would they succeed? With four minutes to go, Archibald centred, and Marshall saved the game. Thats the story
