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Match Information
Attendance: 2000
Referee:
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The Rangers paid the United the compliment of turning up at Sheffield with a pretty strong team. Their defence was on the usual lines, Robertson of course, being an absentee, and there was only one chance forward, the line being Campbell, May (Wishaw), Hamilton, Speedie and Smith. Several reserve players were given a place in the Sheffield team. The ground was treacherous, and ashes had been freely used to make it playable, but it was dangerous for play, and the Rangers could be excused if they did not run unnecessary risks in the course of the game. The average Yorkshire enthusiast cares little for the friendly game nowadays, and despite the reputation of the Scottish team the game excited little interest and there was only a moderate crowd. No scoring took place prior to the interval, but ten minutes after the resumption Hedley scored for the United. Subsequently the play, which had hitherto been somewhat tame, grew more interesting, but no more scoring took place, and Sheffield were left winners by 1 goal to 0. Over all the Rangers gave the impression of being a class combination, and they were decidedly unlucky to lose. Their defence was both imposing and resourceful and their touches were frequently skilful and tricky. The United like their opponents were very careful on the hard surface, and the game was of the typical friendly character. The goalkeeping of Dickie and Foulke left little to be desired, Campbell, Hamilton and Speedie were prominent when the Rangers pressedThe visit of Glasgow Rangers to Bramall Lane on Saturday did not attract; although the weather was fine if a trifle keen, there was a beggarly array of empty benches when the game started, and all told, the onlookers would not number many more than 2,000. The frost had rendered the ground very hard and slippery, and it had to be copiously sanded in order to afford even a slight foothold. The Scottish League champions brought their advertised team, from which Robertson was the only absentee of note, but United took the opportunity of resting several regular members of their team, both backs Needham, Bennett, Lipsham and Priest taking holiday, and Foulkes and Morren once more being introduced to active work. There was little wind, but the Rangers had a powerful sun in their eyes. They were nevertheless the first to break ground, showing more confidence on the frozen surface, and one shot from Stark only just cleared Foulkes left-hand post. Still it was United who came nearest scoring, the left pair, nicely supported by Wilkinson, working through and, though once checked getting across a sparkling centre that Common headed into the top corner, where Dickie brought off a very clever save. Quickly following, another advance, this time on the other wing, saw Common finesse smartly, and get in front a swinging centre that Field could not reach, and Barnes could only half turn in on the treacherous going. As usual, the Scotchmen were the better in system, but the Sheffielders more dashing methods served them just as usefully under the circumstances. Once Hamilton broke clean through Kays defence and looked all over a scorer, but he was far out on the wing, and his shot passed harmlessly across in front of Foulkes, to be finally cleared by Wilkinson, who was always filling the eye. As the game progressed, United took a firmer grip of things, and after Dickie had got rid of two capita; shots, Beers redeemed several impotent efforts in marksmanship by driving a storming shot across the goalmouth just past the foot of the far post. Then a well-planned forward movement led to Speedie trying a fast one from 20 yards out that Foulkes could not gather, but cleared adroitly with his feet as it bounced off his body. The Scotchmen, however were soon back, and Wood failing to rush the ball away, Hamilton was left with an open goal. His shot, however was a shade too high, and it struck the bar squarely, and came back at terrific speed. Dickie was then plied with work, bit it was mainly from long range, and he got through it comfortably, while Gibson foiled the only centre that looked like giving trouble. Play continued of a constantly shifting nature, although if anything, the Rangers goal was subjected to the severer attacks, Common once shooting inches wide from a partial failure by Drummond. Kay back-heeled a centre from Alex Smith, who slipped Johnston prettily, into his own goal, where Foulkes had to apply his fist, but nothing worse eventuated, and at half-time the position was :- Sheffield United 0 goals; Glasgow Rangers 0 goals. Opening the second half, United pit on smart pressure, and the attack brought two likely opportunities, neither of which were utilised, Hedley corkscrewing through to just have the ball thrust away as he was preparing to shoot, while Fields shot, following a misunderstanding between the Rangers backs, which left him well placed, was too lofty. Then Foulkes had to beat away a hook by Hamilton, and at this stage the Scotchmen were more persistent than at any previous period, showing more determination in finishing, though to be sure, little else. At last a foul again Stark gave United position, and though both Field and Common could make nothing of clear openings which a bully in the jaws of the goal gave rise to Hedley made no such mistake when the ball cannoned off Common to him, and Dickie was beaten. The Rangers set up string pleas of offside, but Mr Bye would not listen, and United found themselves one up after fifteen minutes play. This put some of the life into the game that it had been badly wanting, the Scotchmen playing hard to get on terms, but their finishing was never up to the level if their other work, and Foulkes were seldom troubled. At last Speedie got one on the mark from bang in front, but Foulkes took it easily enough, and Dickie also got an armful from Kay, punting into the goalmouth. A little later the Rangers goal had a very narrow escape, Common bursting in between the backs at to speed, and running in before trying his shot, which struck Dickie on the knee, and was then summarily driven behind by Stark. The corner had no result, and a better-spirited assault by the Rangers came to naught through an inability to find where the goal lay. Foulkes had to deal with one shot which came from a well-placed corner, but he scooped it out all right, and also struck a long one from Campbell with a swinging hit that drove the ball well out to midfield. Hamilton had a straight shot charged down, and the Rangers being unable to make any impression, the result was :- Sheffield United 1 goal; Glasgow Rangers 0 goals.
