Gray 22
Paterson 65, xx
Match Information
Attendance: 7,500
Referee: J.S. Stark (Cambuslang)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The Rangers will have a bigger fright this season than they had on Saturday is very improbable. What had, on paper, seemed a comparatively easy first round tie for them, proved to be one of the most difficult hurdles that have had to surmount for a long time. Starting with a vigour which quite upset their opponents, Stenhousemuir played such good football that, until Paterson was injured – he was the best back on the field up till then – it looked as if Rangers would have no further interest in the competition. Indeed gad Gray and Skene accepted the many opportunities which were presented to them, Stenhousemuir would have qualified for the second round ere close of the first half. At the other end the Rangers were against a defence which easily held the mastery of them, and only once was the redoubtable Reid given a chance to score. Stenhousemuir’s goal was the outcome of a sustained raid, for after Lock had saved brilliantly from Skene, he had to acknowledge defeat from a drive by Maxwell. Rangers afterwards attacked, and Paterson beat Connell with a high shot which the goalkeeper might have saved. This revived the Rangers’ drooping spirits, and they attacked with renewed vigour. From a corner Paterson again had the honour of scoring, the ball glancing off a Stenhousemuir defender. Rangers now played in confidence style, and Reid increased their lead with a low drive which had Connell hopelessly beaten. In goal Connell played well, and both backs did splendidly, for until Paterson was injured, they held the opposing attack well in check. The intermediate line also played well, and the combination of the forwards contrasted favourably with the poor display of the Rangers’ front rank. For the Rangers Lock played brilliantly, but the backs were never steady, frequently finding themselves at a great disadvantage against the speedy Stenhousemuir forwards. The half-backs saved the Ibrox team, and Smith was the best forward, although Paterson, who was not overworked in the first half, played well
