T Cairns
Gibson pen
Match Information
Attendance: 14,000
Referee: W Shanks (Falkirk)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Although Rangers have been going somewhat rocky of late, their display against Third Lanark in the War fund Competition seemed to indicate that they have found their form again. In wending my way to Ibrox Park the idea that Raith Rovers would achieve their first League win over the ‘Light Blues’ was certainly far from my calculations. Even when the lads from the Fife coast scored from a penalty, when the game was ten minutes gone, and the Rangers had only managed to equalise at the interval. I still thought that the Rovers would go pointless away. For during the first half the Ibrox men played brilliant football, and experienced a good deal of ill-luck in their finishing. When the Rovers, though a snapshot from half-back, again got on the lead four minutes after resuming, I still regarded Rangers as likely winners, so easily had their forwards circumvented the opposing defenders in the first half. But the truth is that the Rangers began to show signs of flurry when a few special efforts to again draw level had been thwarted. In their attack they became disjointed, their work lacking the accurate placing to each other which had been so effective in creating openings in the first half. The Ibrox half-backs also in their eagerness lay rather close up on the forwards, the result being that the lusty punting of the Rovers’ defenders often sent the ball to an unmarked forward, who was able to make good headway. As the time frittered away the Rangers’ forwards more and more sacrificed method for individual dash. From the way the Ibrox forwards ran through the opposing defence at the start it seemed only to be a question of how many goals they were going to rattle on. Several shots tested the alertness of Neish, the Rovers’ promoted custodian, and it early became apparent that this young man would not be easily beaten. He very smartly stopped more than one low shot speaking through close to the upright. For the first ten minutes he got a close view of the Rangers’ forwards. The Rovers had two spurts during this period, and from the first of these Gibson sent an oblique shot right across the goalmouth, but there was no friendly foot to give it the finishing touch. From the second raid the same player centred, and Scott, at inside-right, headed towards goal. The ball in its flight was fouled by Craig. It looked to me a pure accident, but the referee promptly awarded a penalty, from which Gibson beat Lock. This was rough on Rangers after the fine work they had been showing. They returned to the attack immediately, and Paterson after a fine run swung the ball across the goal. It was missed in its passage by two of his comrades and went to Smith. From the return, Bowie headed just over the bar. With the exception of an occasional breakaway by the Fifers the Rangers continued to bombard Neish’s charge. Hendry had a fine dash through, and after rounding a few opponents drove past close to the post. Cairns had a similar experience. Reid had hard luck, once when he headed against the upright, and again with one of his lightning drives which grazed the bar. But the nearest approach to a score was from a scorcher sent in by Paterson, which bounded upwards from Neish’s closed fist. At last, a few minutes from half-time, Cairns scored close in from a centre of Paterson’s. A few minutes after resuming the Rangers were again set the task of making up lee-way. Todd, on the Rovers’ right, crossed a ball which was headed out to the feet of Anderson, who scored with a fine shot from well out. It was an unexpected effort, and Lock had only time to watch the ball going through. From the way Anderson was nearly smothered by his mates it was evident how keen the Rovers were to prevent the Rangers adding another to their unbroken series of wins against them in the League. The visitors now set themselves to hold by any means to what they had got. Their rear division pinned their faith on hard kicking, and it was unfortunate for the Rangers that these lusty returns so often landed at the feet of a Raith forward. The Kirkcaldy front line must get the credit of making good use of these opportunities. They had numerous combined runs at this stage in which they kept the ball passing sweetly from one to the other. Gibson, on the left, and Todd, on the other extreme wing, were very smart at making headway, while for clever dribbling and judicious parting none bettered Turner, who partnered Gibson. Rangers strove hard to get level, and the climax of their efforts came when fifteen minutes from time a penalty kick was given them. Paterson, however, shot straight at Neish, who capped his previous good work by clearing. I must declare that Rangers were unfortunate in losing both points. Had they taken their chances at goal in the first half they should have held a comfortable lead at mid-game. The Rovers’ rear division put up a great fight in the second half. Porter was the outstanding man in the game. Latterly he completely spiked Reid’s guns. That he seemed to be continually in the way was due to his anticipation and inexhaustible energy. His work with the head was a feature. Anderson at left-half also was highly successful, and McLay held Cairns and Smith well after the interval. Morrison, at back, may not be an artist, but he had a good deal to do with the Rangers being knocked off their balance. For Rangers Craig was most consistent. Much of his work was very clever. He was far ahead of his partner in taking the ball as it came with either foot. Kelso kicked powerfully, but that is the most I can say of his display. I liked Pursell at centre-half. He lasted the game better than the other middle line. It must be said for Brown that he was lame for a good portion of the second half. The forwards were all that could be desired up till half-time – except finishing. They were disappointing in the second half, when they were so many isolated units without combination. Paterson missed a 75th minute penalty
