S Archibald 60
Match Information
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: T Small (Dundee)
Matchday: Tuesday
Match Trivia
I enjoyed my first First League match of the season immensely. True, the skidding ball revealed some defects, because the skidding finds out the men who have a mastery of ball-control. But some of the football played by the Rangers in the first half was as good as anyone wants to see. It seemed as if the champions might win by a handful of goals, but they got only one, and Archibald was the scorer. In 35 minutes, he met a ball that came from the left, and shot it on the run. It rose slightly, travelled fast across the guard of the Queen’s Park custodian and swerved into the net at the far post. I attribute the stoppage of the scoring there to the fact that the Rangers’ forwards played too close a game. Marshall, however, should have netted with an open goal in front of him, and Buchanan missed the easiest of chances from Archibald’s pass. But don’t forget that Smith was saving grandly and getting splendid support from Walker and Wiseman. I thought Wiseman a tower of strength. In the first half the Queen’s Park forwards could not get into a working division. McAlpine, clever all the time, was always striving to get cohesion and force into the line, but the Rangers’ half-backs were the barrier. Muirhead was the master mind. The skidding ball was nothing to him. He took it first time, scarcely ever troubled to trap it, but in one action controlled it and went on. Considering the condition, I do not think a better exhibition of half-back play could be given. For fifteen minutes of the second half, Rangers seemed to me to be going easy – as if the points were safe already. But they got an eye-opener. Suddenly the amateurs began to fight back. There was a flutter all over the field and the Ibrox defence had to put their best foot forward. McAlpine led out beautifully, and McLelland, with his hearty, forcing thrusts, was a source of danger – he had bad luck once with a shot which he had to hurry a little with R Hamilton dashing in. Later, Tom Hamilton saved well from McAlpine and McLelland, and also from Gillespie. The best chance of all fell to Campbell when Crawford put the ball across, but he lifted it over. I rather think he was flurried a little. In this last half-hour it was touch-and-go for rangers dropping a point. I was surprised at the energy and fighting spirit of Queen’s Park, and so were the Rangers. I was pleased with the defence of Newry Hamilton, who stood the test well when he was put to it. Gray’s kicking was sure. Tom Hamilton seemed confident, and when a goalkeeper is confident, he will do little wrong. The half-back were the backbone of the team, plus the left-wing. Alan Morton was the finest raider on the ground. He and McPherson were a complete wing. This boy has two feet; it is a great thing to be able to work off two sides. I thought Archibald and Marshall were too close together. The Fifer came in from the line rather too square, and consequently, Marshall had to give him short passes, which left the receiver little room to work. I liked Hampden’s goalkeeper. He was smart. Robust and fearless, Wiseman let it rip, and he was invaluable to his side. Walker was a good partner. Gillespie was in the thick of it and came out well with head and feet. Marshall knew he was there. Hosie was hard-working and judicious. McAlpine was the one forward who completely mastered the conditions. I would put him and Muirhead and Morton down as the three who excelled in that respect. Dodds and Crawford did not take kindly to the skidding ball. McLelland has all the fervour a centre needs, but he is weak on the right side, which is a handicap. Campbell has possibilities. With left or right foot, he can use the ball, but a little more daring would help him
