J Bowie
T Cairns
Match Information
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: unknown - to be confirmed
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Without Blair, Dixon and Brown, and with Gordon out of the half-back line, Rangers risked more against St Mirren than they realised until the Paisley team supplied them with a demonstration. Captain Paterson was expected to have played at Ibrox, but he begged to be excused, conscious that he might not do the club or himself justice. The Saints had the help of Reid, of Partick Thistle, at Centre, and Pringle at centre-half. I mention these points because they had everything to do with the rather unexpected run of the game. It was one of the toughest propositions Rangers have been set to solve, and, in a manner of speaking, they were a trifle fortunate to come out of it so favourably, though undoubtedly, the strength of their forwards play entitled them to win. Right through the first half, which was a blank for scoring, St Mirren more than held their own, chiefly because of the keen, vigorous, effective tackling by their half-backs and the magnificent defence of Marshall. The forwards got many chances, but even then the difference between them and the Rangers’ front-liners was discernible. The ‘Light Blue’ forwards had a grip and a nip which one felt would draw a prize before the outfield cleverness of Paisley’s vanguard. It is permissible for anyone to speculate on what might have happened had Reid got home that fast low shot which Hempsey brilliantly scooped over the bar, follows, soon after by Cairns missing a chance that appeared un-missable. Frequently the Rangers’ defence had their work cut out, and it was well for them that Pursell and Manderson were able to put in a bit extra. As the second half progressed the Rangers’ forwards began to bend in the Love Street defence, but there was little sign of a break until Bowie urged the ball into the net following a free kick. The vigorous claim for offside made by the Paisley men was justified, but when Cairns, who had changed to centre, owing to Gordon going lame, sent a ball whistling high past Doolan’s guard matters were put on a fair level. This bit of pressure by the Rangers showed that they keep somewhere up their sleeve, perhaps – a bit of reserve; it is not the first game I have seen them win in exactly the same way. Even then, however, St Mirren were not done with, and though they failed to score I think they came out of the game with a large amount of credit, Doolan had more to do than Hempsey, and he did it well. All the backs were good, with Manderson and Marshall excelling. I have not seen St Mirren better represented at half-back. The spoiling work all three put in was wonderful. If Pursell was the pick of the Rangers trio, I think we ought to give the big-hearted lad Dick, from ‘The Kingdom,’ a pat on the back. He was playing the game all the time. With the Ibrox forwards it was a case of try, try, try, and their confidence and perseverance carried them through. Gordon did not hit it off at centre, which is a direct compliment to Pringle. Archibald and Bowie played well together, but the left wing was worried for a great part of the game by the tenacity of Brown and Marshall. Paisley had two skilful inside wing men in Lindsay and Schofield. Reid paid his way, but Dorward was mastered by Manderson, and Higginbotham was a shade erratic
