Gillespie 30
T Cairns 67
Match Information
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: T Small (Dundee)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
On heavy ground that deadened the passing, Queen’s Park gained distinction by forcing an even draw with the Rangers at Ibrox Park. The bold forcing play of the Amateurs in the first half, when they had to contend with a stiffish breeze, was a marked feature of a struggle which thrilled the crowd. The decisive and confident tackling of the Queen’s Park defenders in the first twenty minutes provided the key to their subsequent cleverness. Their unexpected dash, dribbling and strength on the ball delighted their supporters as much as it surprised the Rangers. The revelation of the football was the stamina of the Hampden Park players. Every man of them lasted the pace and did not shirk contact with players of probably a higher standard of skill. On the day the standard was reduced to a common level. Once on the move the Queen’s Park forwards played a fairly open game, and they put so much turning work on the ball that the Rangers’ half-backs and backs were harder pushed, and more frequently beaten when they went in to tackle than in any of their matches, I have seen this season. R Gillespie worked a goal for Queen’s Park in half an hour, in conjunction with Russell, but the finishing was left to the centre, whose only fault during the game was that he was not smart enough in fastening on the ball. The Queen’s led by this goal at the interval, and yet two better scoring chances fell to Crawford and Russell before the cross-over. Had the referee been quick enough to detect a bad case of handling by F Gillespie under the bar low down, and a back charge McDonald gave Alan Morton in the penalty area, there would have been a couple of penalty kicks. For these escapes the Amateurs were decidedly fortunate. Once again Alan Morton came to the rescue of his team. From a corner kick whizzed into the goalmouth by the left winger in his best style when the second half was twenty-three minutes gone, Cairns levelled the score. The best scoring chances afterwards fell to Queen’s Park. The rangers did not maintain their accustomed combination or move with ordinary freedom. It was mainly the result of ceaseless blocking by McDonald, F Gilliespie and Graham, and the energy and rapidity with which Sneddon and Wiseman covered their movements. In the second half Andrew Cunningham’s lameness weakened the Rangers’ attack. The big fellow went outside left but could not run. Alan Morton was inside to him, and Cairns backed up Archibald. The Rangers put in all they could to force a win, but in the end were glad enough to save their face. A visiting goalkeeper to Ibrox has rarely been less tested by the Rangers. So much for the pluck of the Queen’s defenders in keeping them from getting often set for a shot. The backs, McDonald at right half, and Graham at left half, were conspicuous in aggressive defence. F Gillespie shone more in defence. In a plucky attack, Crawford, McAlpine and Russell were most noticeable, but Ra Gilliespie paid his way, and young Nicholson was plucky to a degree. The rangers’ best line was at half-back, and their best forward was Morton
