Dr Marshall
Match Information
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: R Morrison (Falkirk)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Rangers collected the points, but certainly all the honours did not go to the victors. As an attacking force, Kilmarnock impressed me more, and it was well for the Ibrox side that the defenders did not wilt, particularly in the first half, when the Ruby Park men showed concerted play far ahead of the home quintette. Where I thought Kilmarnock erred was in carrying the ball too fat upfield; more snapshooting should have been indulged in. In moving in open formation, they undoubtedly played to suit the conditions. It took the Rangers a long time to realise that their close passing game was futile on the slushy, treacherous ground. Neither Brown nor Marshall swung the ball out to the wingers, but Marshall kept more in touch with his partner, and Nicholson responded to his promptings, as he did also to the forcing work of Buchanan. Archibald found things running badly up to the interval, but with the change of ends he did ever so much better, and he finished a good second to Nicholson. Smith was pushful enough his dash, indeed, caused him to collide with Clemie, who sustained a face injury which necessitated his departure to the pavilion for about ten minutes but he was ineffective in the scoring zone. Smith atoned to a certain extent by his clever overhead kick in the thirteenth minute of the second half, which enabled Marshall to snatch the all-important goal, but throughout the game he got in few shots. The best period for the Ibrox quintette was early in the second half, when the line kept the ball always on the move. This was a testing time for the Kilmarnock defenders, who if rugged now and again, came out of the fray with great credit. I liked Buchanan best of the home half-backs. Jock always endeavoured to be constructive and moved up with the forwards. Simpson was a valuable asset in defence, but he made little or no attempt to get the front rank linked together. This was also a fault with McDonald, who, however, was faced with the cleverest wing afield. Gray and Bob Hamilton, along with goalkeeper Tom, all did their parts well. Throughout the opening half, and also in the closing period, they were constantly in action, and they made no mistakes. Ramsay and Aitken showed a fine understanding and some of their wing work in the first portion was very attractive. Aitken crossed many splendid balls, one of which hit the crossbar, but Maxwell could make little impression on Simpson. McEwan was the artist of the Killie half-backs, and his excellent service was reflected in the fine form of the left wing. Irvine played a serviceable game, though not disposing of the ball with accuracy at times, while Smith, like Simpson, developed a strong defensive game. Morton showed versatility by not only occupying Robertsons place as if accustomed to playing in the back division, but also taking up Clemies place while the goalkeeper was off injured. He kicked with power and judgment and occasionally came to the rescue of his partner, who will do better with more confidence. Clemie could not have done better; he had no chance with Marshalls shot, the scorer being almost on the line when he scrambled the ball over.
