G Henderson 30, <45, 72
Match Information
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: D Calder (Rutherglen)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
I went into the Rangers pavilion after the game and found varied opinions regarding the first goal. Alan Morton was decided on the point that it was a real goal, and Cairns himself said, that he was over the line before even he touched the ball. The Raith Rovers were not so decided. David Morris said he thought it was not a goal. Even to the extent of a ‘dollar’. James was decided that it was no goal, and that finishes the story. The game showed that we are going to have a great competition where Rangers and Raith Rovers are concerned, if yesterday’s exhibition by the Kirkcaldy team means anything. The Raith played good football. They just missed keeping their end up against a great Rangers’ work – work that has distinguished the Ibrox club year after year. Still, they are not the team that we have seen them in recent years. Again, and again the old something was apparently lacking. Manderson was always an outstanding back, but McCandless failed to withstand the strong strenuous attack that can only merit the success which the Rangers’ supporters wish to see. The most brilliant player afield was undoubtedly Alan Morton. He on his own scintillated. He gathered the ball as he wanted to and crossed it like a real player. Rangers were very fortunate to get their first goal, Cairns lying in an offside position when he took the kick which put the ball through. It may have been that the ball was over the line when he last touched it, but the referee had a fine sense of judgment when he allowed them to get the goal. He certainly had a similar sense of judgment which Geo. Miller put the ball into the net, and he decided on an offside decision. These are matters which a young referee – and I understand this is a young referee – had to decide for himself. There was very little between the teams so far as outfield play was concerned. Rangers were always the more dangerous side, and if was only the brilliant goalkeeping of Mathieson that kept Henderson, Cairns and Morton from scoring early on. The Rovers when they did get within shooting distance of Robb were always dangerous, and Jennings tested the keeper several times. The greatest thrill, however, was when Henderson got through, and it was only then that they had lost in the departure of James Brown to Dunfermline Athletic. Cunningham as is his wont tried several times to get through but failed in his efforts. Morton was the man who caused most anxiety to the Fife club and Barton’s task was no enviable one. The first goal was worked for by the Ibrox left winger and Henderson headed into the goal. The part Cairns took in this point I have already described. The tension this relived, Rangers returned to the attack even Meiklejohn having a shot at Mathieson’s charge. Then after thirty-seven minutes the homesters were two up. Henderson taking a cross from Morton on the bounce and netting from twenty-five yards. Exchanges on resuming were slightly in favour of Rangers, but Raith were always sufficiently in the picture to keep matters interesting. Morton raised enthusiasm by testing Mathieson with a characteristic lob, but the keeper collared the ball confidently. At the other end, James terminated a good piece of work by shooting wildly over the bar. Midway through the second half Henderson put Rangers three ahead by hooking a centre from Archibald into the corner of the net. To the end play was fast and keen, but the result was never in doubt. Raith Rovers, on yesterday’s showing, will be one of the teams that will require to be taken notice of. They still have the strong forceful David Morris at centre-half; a man that is a personality; a man with his club at heart, after the game discovered, a man with the whole enthusiasm of the club at his beck and call. I also had the felicitation of Mr Bogie, Mr Adamson and Mr Kirkpatrick, gentlemen with the club’s welfare at heart wherever they go. They were satisfied. They decided even in defeat, that Raith Rovers would be a team which would uphold itself and uphold football in Fife as they would wish it to be. Jimmy Brown has left, but nothing could have excelled the brilliant goalkeeping of Mathieson. Inglis has gone to Sheffield, but even there the Rait Rovers’ directors have made no mistake. Moyes and Barton are great players. Miller has left; Morris remains, and the Kirkcaldy team will do well. What little was wrong with their team yesterday was this. Bell failed to touch his form; James failed to touch his form, but once these players find their best game. James, Miller and Jennings will be a trio that will puzzle most of the defences to which they are opposed. Rangers are not the team they were, although they will be difficult to beat. Morton will probably pull them through in many matches. Dixon will be a great asset; Meiklejohn is a real trier; Manderson a man upon whom trust can be placed, and Robb a great goalkeeper. Morton I have already said, can do wonders; Archibald also can do wonders; Cairns is a great grafter and Henderson a trier all the time. Craig, the man who is trying to fill Muirhead’s place, will have to come a bit before he finds the form of which the Boston man was capable.
