A Bennett (2)
Hendry
Match Information
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: unknown - to be confirmed
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Particular people might find something to grumble at in the fact that Rangers had the game at Ibrox won by the interval. They had go their goals against the wind, and with a 3-1 advantage they turned as nearly certain winners as you may see any time. When the Rangers’ attack was serious in the first half, it touched a standard that equalled, and in some ways excelled, their well-remembered, early-season brilliance. Paterson, somehow, could not piece into the combining machine, but the other four moved along with delightful close, swift passes, favoured by the perfect pitch. They had the half-backs with them, and so for that all too brief period the home crowd were treated to a display that gave them open pleasure, and doubtless, secret regrets. The second half was chiefly composed of a desultory attack on the Motherwell rear-guard, but not a goal was scored. Hampton had something to do with that, so had the Rangers’ forwards, and so also (as will be seen) had H Kelly. Within half an hour after the start Rangers were three goals to the good. Playing football, they dodges in and out of the Motherwell defence at such a lively rate that the initial score was a mere matter of time. First goal was the combination of a movement begun by Hendry. He took one of his typical little runs, and passed on to Smith, who always seems to know just what to expect from Joe. In almost instant pass from Smith to Bennett saw the latter dart off by himself. Galloping round McStay and Wilson, he cut into goal at an angle, and with a rakish, slanting shot, planted the ball in the net. Hendry had a bigger hand in the second goal, for he scored it himself. Rangers had been keeping up the pressure, when he suddenly ran through like a forward, and beating several opponents, scored easily the best goal of the game. Bennett came in again to score the third goal, but he was indebted to Gordon, who copied Hendry’s example by running through the defence. As a scoring chance did not present itself, he put the ball across goal and Bennett had just to tap it past Hampton. Motherwell meantime had put in several promising attacking efforts. The wind helped them in these, but they could never quite impress themselves on the Rangers’ defence until Gilchrist, Robertson and Gray went away on a strong run. They controlled the ball deftly until Gray took his shot, which sent the ball hard against the inside of the post and then past Lock who had no chance. Before the interval, a brilliant run by Reid set the crowd roaring. He set off from the near the centre, and after going past McNeil saw Wilson coming sideways towards him. Swerving round Wilson, the Ranger still raced for goal, and when eight yards or so from Hampton he shot what seemed a certain score. The ball, however, got the inside of the post at tremendous strength, and rebounded back away from him. This was the most picturesque individual effort of the game. In a comparatively tame second half, the features were a series of saves by Hampton and a tragi-comic miss by H Kelly. One double-handed clearance by the goalkeeper from Reid, when he had to throw himself across the goal to get the ball hip high, was worthy the cheers it received. Kelly, when he got his chance, was nearly under the bar and had only to breathe on the ball, but he kicked it across the width of the posts and out. Lock, who had been deceived by the flight of the ball when it went to Kelly, was about the most surprised man on the ground – and the most thankful. No such chance came the way of the visitors again. Defence on both sides was good. Ormonde was the most finished at back, but he had not so good a wing against him as had Law. Wilson and P Kelly were always serviceable without being brilliant. That much-abused adjective belonged to McNeil at centre-half. In the second half he was a regular Goliath. All the Rangers’ halves were sound. Forward, Bennett and Smith were the best wing afield. Reid was more earnest in the first half, and afterwards seemed not so keen. Paterson was faulty with his centres, which often landed behind his waiting comrades. As usual, Gray was the artists of the Motherwell front lines. Robertson also played rather above himself, and some of Gilchrist’s runs were well done and overdone
