Lennon 28
A Morton 52, 77
Match Information
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: T Small (Dundee)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Did Rangers get a fright? Well, take it from me they did. In that extraordinary first half, when King’s Park had the strong westerly breeze behind them, there was a sense of sensation in the air. Stirling’s stalwarts, after surviving a burst of Rangers pressure, gathered more and more confidence, and perceiving the sort of game required to suit the conditions, went into it in a style that made people blink. And when Lennon sailed through to score that bonnie goal after 28 minutes, there were visions of history being made. Rangers could not get their game to develop on the right lines at all. The watchfulness of the King’s Park half-backs time and again broke up the combination, while Crickett and Rae stood guard over Arnot with a coolness and determination that would brook no liberties. Yes, it seemed as Rangers had struck a rank bad patch, and to them the interval must have been gladly welcome. All the satisfaction to be got out of the first half belonged to King’s Park, and they will be remembered for their plucky, clever showing in that period. Having got the breeze behind them the Light Blues set about putting matters right, and when Morton equalised after seven minutes, we could see the turning point. But King’s Park were not accepting defeat yet. Against almost continuous pressure, Arnot and his backs put up a gallant resistance. The young goalkeeper – a slip of a lad – saved grandly, one single-handed effort at a powerful-driven ball from McPhail being something of a masterpiece. It had become evident by this time that Alan Morton was the man to pull Rangers through, and when he gave them the lead, after 32 minutes, with a lovely right-foot shot, the wee fellow got a great cheer all to himself. Even then, King’s Park had a kick in them. They fought back courageously, and with Lennon and Ferguson coming through and making openings, there was all the chance of something accruing. It was all Hamilton could do to tip over a clipper shot from Ferguson, and the corner-kick by Lennon was not cleared without difficulty. All the Rangers half-backs, and Gray and R Hamilton as well, had to put in all they knew for a short spell, but then the Ibrox forwards next worked up steam and McPhail put Cunningham through to score a third goal, the issue was safe. It was a match right enough, and to King’s Park goes a warm handshake. They are a team of some talent, with a very fair degree of balance. Arnot did wonders in the second half, and he received excellent support from his backs. Baird played a very intelligent game at centre-half, being usually in the proper position to forestall Fleming, who was not by any means at his best. Lawson had a large measure of success against Cunningham, and he was quick to get the ball through to his forwards. In the Stirling front line, Lennon was the star of the first half, and he had a clever partner in Anderson. Toner was not allowed much rope by Meiklejohn, but Ferguson was delightfully clever in working the ball and giving the pass. McDonald did well in the first half, but afterwards was well held by Gray. It was not what you would call a bright match for Rangers. Tom Hamilton could not have saved the goal, and otherwise, he did everything he was asked to do. Gray was steady and safe, but Robert Hamilton was not nearly so good as usual. Meiklejohn was invaluable in defence and in forcing the game in the second half. Buchanan was sometimes slow and too often beaten in the tackle, and Craig was not at his best, although he came away well in the second half. Of the forwards, Cunningham and Fleming had a disappointing day. Archibald had some bright spells, but winning wing was the left. Morton’s value was never more apparent. McPhail was rather unlucky with his shots
