English (2)
S Archibald
Match Information
Attendance: 31000
Referee:
Matchday: Wednesday
Match Trivia
British Cup - Challenge Match - What is the verdict? Taking Rangers and Newcastle United, the Scottish and English Cup-holders, as representing the best in football of the two countries, then Scotland is on to. No doubt about that. Rangers had it in teamwork, and individual ability. They were the more powerful combination all over, firm and sure in defence, and a driving force in attack. The visitors did not reveal the qualities I have seen in former teams that represented Newcastle United. Their speed well, it wasnt there. The passing of the forwards was much too square and made little headway. The half-backs seemed unable to deal at once with a travelling ball, and they could not find a man as Meiklejohn and Brown could. I would not like to be unfair to the United, but to be frank, they were crude compared with their opponents. Rangers go to st Jamess Park next Wednesday to play the return game. They should be an attraction. I was glad to see and hear the big crowd give the United a right royal reception. And I could tell that the cheers were meant three-parts for the old Ibrox favourite, Andrew Cunningham. It was a serious match and no mistake. Knocks were going. It may be the style of football as played over the Border nowadays, but any rate, Rangers got most knocks. The teams were photographed together before the match, and at half-time the Scottish and English Cups were carried round the track. After the rain the ground had a bit of a grip and the ball a little bit skid which tests the football player. Rangers were first away in their stride and against the run of the play the United scored after six minutes, Weaver came on with the ball at his feet. He was unchallenged, although either Marshall or Meiklejohn should have gone in to tackle. When Weaver had made position, he shot a beauty and Hamilton could only touch the ball with his left hand as it went flying into the net. But Rangers were soon making the crowd roar. The forwards came on. McPhail swung the ball out to Archibald, who shot a swinger. McInroy got his hands to it as it was rising and it hit the bar and seemed to be over the line when Davidson with an overhead kick, brought it to the feet of English who shot over. It was a strong going Rangers now and the equaliser could not be long delayed. McPhail went driving through and sent across to Archibald, who shot on the run, and the ball went screaming into the net at great speed. Newcastles forwards thrust through, and Hamilton saved from Boyd. Then more Rangers, and a second goal after 25 minutes, Brown ran on and transferred into centre for English to head past McInroy. We saw a good bit of Newcastle following this, and three corners were forced one after the other. But when it came to real team play Rangers were on top. A minute from the interval they scored again. Following a corner kick by Archibald, Marshall, in shooting, made the ball skid and it went to McPhail, who scored with a first-timer. Rangers had established their superiority by half-time. They were on top all through the second half, although in the last ten minutes the United came again without being able to threaten serious danger. The second half had gone 20 minutes when Marshall sent through a nice ground pass to English, who took it on the run cleanly and going on, placed it in the net out of McInroys reach. As the game went, McInroy had a much harder job that Hamilton, and he certainly did his part well. His fielding was sound, and he had a sure clutch. I liked Hamiltons punching he made certain he got the ball away at an angle. Gray was a fine back, he always is. If he plays just as well at Belfast, hell be all right. McDonald does his emergency job with credit. At placing the ball and building up an assertive game, Meiklejohn and Brown were far ahead of McKenzie and Weaver. Weaver came in with some clever work on the ball, but he as often parted to someone who wasnt there. Simpson was Simpson. There was really no comparison between the rival front lines. Colin Veitch, a great United centre-half in a great United team told me after the match that he could not believe he was seeing the Newcastle team. After their early goal, the United forwards seemed to think they could show how nice they could be. If that was their idea, it was silly. The Rangers forwards showed them hoe a winning game could be played, and I should say the United front line will have got a lesson for the next bout with the Ibrox team. But for Nelson keeping his head the United would have come worse out of it. He and Fairhurst were the successes of the team, along with McInroy. In the Rangers attack, McPhail was the great driving force, and Archibald took the cross passes in a style that revived memories. Marshall was strong and often clever although some of his passes went wrong. Elusive and tantalising English puzzled Davidson by his quick changing of position. Fleming was not too happy. He was injured and was limping badly in the last quarter of an hour. Rangers forwards outclassed Newcastle. That was the verdict of Colin Veitch. I agree. Boyd, however, was a clever winger. He could position himself for the ball coming across and I could imagine him being a dangerous boy. But the Uniteds inside game was poor. It had no drive. Square passing and passing back dont do. In the tackle Lang was rather easily beaten, but he crossed a nice ball when clear. And this from Andrew Cunningham, Rangers were the better team. I did not think they were such a good team.
