Unknown
Unknown (3)
Match Information
Manager: No Permanent Manager
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: unknown - to be confirmed
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
This important fixture was played at Alexandria. The afternoon being cold and damp the turn-out so spectators was not nearly so large as that which has witnessed the previous contests between these old and formidable rivals. Still there would be over 1500 present. For the first half the Rangers played with a stiff breeze in their favour. This combined with their great speed and well-known passing and dribbling powers enabled them to have rather the better of the first half. On one occasion they had three corner kicks in less then two minutes but all of them were unproductive. The Vale had thus to play hard to withstand the exertions of their opponents and in doing so not only successfully repelled every attack, but made frequent inroads into the Rangers territory and several times placed their goal in danger. When the game was thirty minutes old rain commenced to fall heavily but it in no way damped the vigour of the combatants who to the finish continued to play with great dash, and it was evident that both teams were in the pick of condition. A few seconds from the call of time McFarlane and Kennedy by brilliant play brought the ball to the Rangers goal. The latter centred well and while Friel made for Gillespie, Brown headed the ball between the posts. It was now thought that the Rangers chance was gone. They has had the breeze in their favour the greater part of the first half had been played in fair weather and the ball was light and still they failed to obtain any success although they certainly deserved some as they played in grand style. Although the Vale in the second half had the advantage of the breeze rain fell heavily, the ball was heavy and darkness settling in it was thought advisable to curtail this portion of the game by 15 minutes. The ball being kicked off the home team at once assumed the aggressive and for three minutes hemmed their opponents in. Eventually a clever run was made by the Rangers forwards who successfully passed the Vale backs, made for goal with great speed and after a brilliant piece of play lowered the colours of the Vale and thus equalised the game. This dashing bit of play was deservedly cheered. Again however the home team besieged their opponent’s goal where for the rest of the time the play was chiefly confined. The Vale secured a second goal five minutes after the Rangers success, Brown doing the needful. A minute later the same player made a capital shot at goal, which struck the head of one of the opposing backs and bounded between the posts. Ten minutes after this darkness set in and it was with much difficulty the spectators followed the play. When the second part if the game was thirty minutes played time was called leaving the Vale victorious by three goals to one. The game was one of the fastest and most enjoyable, which had been played by these clubs. With the exception of Hill whose place was taken by McKenzie the Rangers played with their full team. The Vale team was complete A McIntyre and J McFarlane having taken their places for the season.
