T Cairns
Match Information
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: L Wynne (Uphall)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
I have not seen so much enthusiasm, determination, and perseverance in any match this season as were crowded into the game at Ibrox. ‘Twas a stirring game – the usual Rangers and Morton affair. The fast pace, keen tackling and ruffled tempers kept the crowd interested to the finish. And way a finish! Rangers snatched victory in the last minute, a great effort by Cairns bringing success, although he was helped by a mistake of Ormonde’s – his only mistake. Ten minutes before this Gourlay had been ordered to the pavilion. Rangers were hard pressed in the first half, but the middle men were untiring, and gave valuable assistance to Manderson and Muir, and in the second half, Gordon, Logan and Hendry purveyed splendidly to the forwards. With a fresh breeze behind them Morton were soon around Hempsey in the early part of the game, and a misunderstanding between Manderson and Muir gave Buchanan a chance. The centre-forward had little room to move, but he got in his shot, and the ball was only inches wide. Stevenson had two attempts, and afterwards Logan and Muir between them let Buchanan through again, but Logan managed to recover. Things were going well for Morton, but at last Rangers worked up an attack on the right, and a beautiful centre from Duncan was so dangerous that Morrison was glad to concede a corner. From the flag-kick Bradford had to give away another corner, and again Duncan placed nicely. An exciting moment around Bradford was ended with Gordon driving in a hard ball, which rebounded from the far-off post. Gourlay was hurt and taken to the line for attention, but he returned to see Paterson lose a fine chance through hesitation, and as the interval hove in sight Rangers were undoubtedly the more impressive. On resuming Rangers played strongly into the Morton defence. Bennett and Duncan moved along sweetly, and the inside man found himself well placed on two occasions, but he was woefully weak at finishing. Two free kicks to Rangers on the verge of Morton’s penalty line kept Bradford anxious, and from Gordon’s place kick Cairns headed the ball on to the top of the cross-bar. Seldom could Morton forward get past the home halfs, but any time they did something seemed about to happen – but didn’t. Yet, Rangers had a slice of luck following a beautifully placed corner-kick by Grant, Stevenson firing in a ball which deflected over the bar from the foot of Manderson, who at the moment was lying on the ground. This escape stirred Rangers, and smart work by Bennett brought another corner. Duncan sent the ball straight across the goal-mouth, and Bradford jumped forward and upward to get the hold of the ball, which he missed, and which was carried, into the goal by a waft of wind. There was no slackening of the pace, and Morton once again got near Hempsey, but Manderson cleared. A strong claim for a penalty was made for Manderson handling, but no penalty was given, and the end of the furore which followed was the ordering off of Gourlay. The last five minutes were full of excitement. Buchanan, with the best shot of the game, narrowly missed. Reid gave Bradford a surprise shot, and then Cairns caught the ball from a weak clearance by Ormonde and beat Bradford, who in his attempt to save seemed to help the ball into the net. Morton had no time left to draw level. Neither goalkeeper had much to do, thanks to the protection of the backs. Morrison and Ormonde compared favourably with the Rangers’ pair, who received much-needed assistance from the half-backs. Gordon, Logan and Hendry were in fine trim. They forced on their forwards, and never gave the opposing forwards time to settle. The Morton trio were also good, and indeed the respective half-backs dominated the game for a long time. Rangers had a slight advantage in the forward division, their [lay being more polished. Duncan was clever and plucky, although it was a long time before he got support from Bennett. Cunningham was missed. Morton forwards were clever and fast, but their passing at times was weak, and the harmony of the line was spoiled
