Match ended 0-0
Match Information
Attendance: 30000
Referee:
Matchday: Tuesday
Match Trivia
The people of Stoke rose to the Rangers. Nearly 30,000 were present to see them play the match for the benefit of the windows and orphans of the Brymbo Colliery Disaster Fund, and more than £1600 will accrue from the match. The Stole officials were more than delighted. Although the game resulted in a goalless draw, you can take it from me that both teams were triers all the way. Some excellent football was played by both sides. After the match the Stoke officials were loud in their praises of the Rangers, team, which they had said had not been surpassed for many a day. The result of the play on the whole was a fair reflex, although for a period in the second half Stoke were well on top and might have won had Westland and Antonio been ordinarily good with their marksmanship. Against this Smith came as near as possible to pulling off a win for Rangers when the inside forward had the Stoke defence opened out in the last minute. The defence for the most part had a mastery over the attack, but Dawson was brought into prominence in cutting out some dangerous looking centres from Matthews. You saw this elusive Stoke winger at Hampden last April, and he was just as puzzling in this game. If he had a fault, it was in placing his centres to the near post, where the Rangers defence, and especially Dawson, had them well covered. Dawson impressed the big crowd by the sureness of his clutching in taking high balls. He was never in difficulty, and the men in front if him seemed to gain inspiration from his confidence. Stoke people had looked to Baker for great things on the left wing, but the usual defensive sense of Gray was always a barrier to an undoubtedly clever forward. Never at any time was Gray caught out of position. He and Simpson worked in perfect co-operation, and if the one was beaten the other was there to take the team out of a tight corner. McDonald and Matthews difficult to solve, but he never gave in. Although frequently beaten he often recovered in time to prevent a really serious situation developing. After the game I had several inquiries from Stoke people as to who the Rangers left-half was, and they were surprised to learn that he had only just left school. The rangers forwards, on the whole, while pleasing the crowd by their close movement, found themselves up against a quick tackling defence which was as good in positional play as Rangers. Turner, a big, upstanding fellow, was a magnificent pivot. He followed the play was unerring instinct, and time and again foiled Smith when an inside passing movement looked like sending him through. Brigham and Challinor were two resourceful and confident backs, and Frank Soo, at left half, lived up to all the good things said of him by Stoke people at the beginning of the match. This boy was born in England and his father came from China. There is a feeling in Stoke that because of this there is a certain prejudice against playing him in an England team. No one could convince the people of Stoke that he is not qualified by ability to wear an England jersey. Stokes forwards played some very attractive football up to goal, but their finishing was not of the same standard. At the finish the crowd gave both teams a hearty ovation, and the players themselves congratulated one another on a good sporting contest. It was quite clear that the people of Stoke were eager to pay tribute to the Ibrox team for participating in an event which was so near to the hearts of all Staffordshire. The organisers aimed at raising £1000, and the magnificent response was exceedingly gratifying to all concerned.
