W Reid 23
Stewart
Match Information
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: J Bell (Dundee)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
I should say that the most important thing about the game at Ibrox was that Rangers won by three goals to nil. The Light Blues were certainly the better team by far, but Hamilton Academicals are due more than a word of praise for keeping the keeping the Rangers at bay in the second half for thirty minutes against a strong breeze, and playing with only ten men. At the end of that period they lost a goal, Watson unfortunately assisting the ball into the net. For the remaining fifteen minutes they again maintained a resolute defence, Watson effecting quite a masterly save in the last minute of the game. Rangers opened with the erratic gusts of wind chiefly in their faces. Right well did they grapple with their task. They scored two fine goals, and had the better of a fairly good game up till the interval. In the second half play deteriorated considerably. When the ball was set in motion McNeil reached the corner-flag with it, where a strong tackle damped his ardour and his jersey at the same time. The next incident disclosed the Hamilton defence in a bad light. The ball was carried to the visiting goal area, and it seemed to be impossible for the backs, and latterly the half-backs to get it away. They had plenty of time but it looked as if they ‘didn’t want to do it’, and Cairns made up his mind to finish it. He failed to net, however, but Watson required trainer’s attentions to recover from his effort in saving. It was a great chance missed. After a little desultory kicking by both sides McNeil got past Ormonde, who fell, but his attempt at goal scoring went high over the crossbar. After Bain had tried his luck with a slow push through, which Hempsey easily negotiated, Paterson served up one of his electrifying runs, in which he mystified McNamee in several ways. From his raid the ball went across the goal line very slowly, and although Millar had loads of time and room in which to clear, he gave away a corner. Later Paterson came away again, and in rapid succession tricked the Hamilton Paterson, Robertson, and Millar as they came to meet him. Stewart now got a pass from Gordon twisted out to Eglinton’s way, beat Adam Millar on the run, and shot. Watson sent out to Reid, who was there and all that Academicals’ custodian could do was pick the ball out of the net. He had no chance of saving for the ball came in quicker than he could recover and change his position from his first save. Cairns gave Watson a teaser immediately following this, but the Hamilton keeper prevented a score smartly. McNeil had a chance from a free-kick close in, but he following the prevailing fashion and sent high over the crossbar. The Academicals then had a short period of pressure, during which nearly all their forwards and half-backs had a try to score, but couldn’t do it. Robertson was watching Reid more practically than McNamee was doing the job, but it was Stewart who was next to score with a low, swift drive, and again the slackness of the Hamilton defence was in evidence. The ball should have been got away when Reid’s attempt to break through was intercepted. For the remainder of the first half Rangers via Cairns and Paterson, had other tries which did not materialise. When Paterson tricked Robertson on one occasion the Hamilton back returned the compliment a minute later, just to show how easy it was done. The second half was hardly worth describing. Bain went off limping shortly after the restart. He came on again, but retired after getting one kick at the ball. The Rangers were either taking it easy, or were tired after their clever first-half display against the wind. Whatever the cause it apparently took them all their time to score once against ten men, and with the help of the breeze. There were one or two tripping incidents, and once it looked very clear than an opponent deliberately kicked Logan, The referee gave him a word or two. Following another incident a couple of spectators made their way on to the playing pitch, but were bundled back by the police. Duncan’s goal relieved the monotony of the cheerless play, but it was a pity that Watson seemed to help the ball to go through. It came between the post and his head, and got caught between them, the movements of his head appearing to send the ball into the net. After one or two further saves by Watson the game fizzled out. It was not difficult to understand that by any less powerful opponents Hamilton Academicals may be a team to be feared. They never looked like repeating their Kilmarnock form at Ibrox, but they thoroughly extended Rangers. In Watson they have a keeper of merit, whose agility and judgment are both first class. I have seen the backs play better, for both Robertson and Millar seemed hesitant in clearing at times. McNamee had a hard time watching Reid, and was not altogether successful in his shadowing. McNeil was the best of the Academicals forwards, but his shooting was off the mark for once in a way. Bain’s injury prejudiced the Academicals’ chances materially, although Young strove hard to fill the breach. For Rangers, Reid was out of luck, and his one goal was a poor bag for all the splendid efforts he made. Stewart’s goal was, however, merely the finishing touch to the centre’s fine play. The Newcastle right wing was very serviceable, though Scott Duncan had not the resource of Paterson. Cairns made a promising first appearance, and showed quite a number of delightful touches. Logan was outstanding in a powerful half-back line, but Gordon found McNeil a bit troublesome at times. I am disinclined to go ecstasies over the Rangers’ backs, of whom Ormonde was the better man. They were reasonably steady, however, and Hempsey’s goalkeeping was quite faultless
