G Henderson (2)
A Morton
Match Information
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: D Calder (Rutherglen)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Rangers won at Perth. The Saints’ team showed five changes. It was junior-like in its composition. Even so, Rangers were in many respects lucky to win 3-1. But that they were the better team admits of no doubt. The Saints facing half a gale, made a fine start. They gave Ronn an anxious time. Three corners were forced in as many minutes. Fleming brought Robb to his knees with a mighty drive. And just when the spectators began to think the champions were not to have matters their own way, Henderson broke through. He tricked Swallow, and from long range beat Dempster, who might have saved. But the score was soon level. Sanderson, the left winger from Bruntonians, started a nice movement, in which all the forwards took part. Rangers defence was tied up, and the home centre crowned a magnificent piece of work with a shot placed just where Robb could not reach it. A spectator almost gave the Rangers the head again. Henderson was going for a ball which was Penman’s all the way, when there was a yell, “Let it go!” Penman obliged, and Henderson, beating Dempster in a race for the ball, flicked the post with a shot. Henderson, however, got his second point a few minutes later by converting a corner kick, which, in my opinion should not have been given. An error by McBoyle gave Rangers their third goal. Alan Morton, twisting and wriggling through the opposition as only Morton can, drove in a shot which was swerving towards the far post. McBoyle was in splendid position to clear, and Dempster left the ball to him, but he was too late. St Johnstone missed Howieson. All three new players acquitted themselves well. Sanderson and Sim, late of Port Vale, made a left wing which should work well when it has had a chance to settle down. I was favourably impressed with the form of Swallow, the Shettleston junior. It was trying the lad highly to pit him against the might of Cunningham, Henderson and Cairns, but he came through the ordeal with flying colours. A frail-looking lad, he has not the physique for robust play, but he has learned his football in a good school, and has the scientific game well instilled in him. He was in the thick of the fray all the time and rendered valuable assistance to his forwards by his neatly-placed and well-timed passes. Hart and Fleming were in good form, but the home defence was very unconvincing. Although somewhat lucky with their goals, Rangers were undoubtedly the better team. The grit of the home players occasionally got into the bearings of what is regarded as a smooth-working machine, but the Rangers went very sweetly, and played will within themselves during the second half. One registered the impression that they were satisfied with the lead of two goals and had no desire to over-exert themselves to increase their advantage. The whole team worked as one man.
