RANGERS RETAIN SCOTTISH CUP
DISAPPOINTING FORWARDS
Defenders Dominate Play
THIRD LANARK MISS A GREAT CHANCE
Rangers, 1; Third Lanark, 0.
Rangers retained the Scottish Cup when they defeated Third Lanark at Hampden Park on Saturday, but their display, especially in attack, was disappointing. Territorially Third Lanark had the better of the game, but the Cathkin forwards failed miserably when they came to the goalmouth.
Because of the closeness of the score the game held interest right to the end, but the standard of play fell far below expectations. Defenders held the upper hand throughout, and there was not a really outstanding forward on the field.
Dawson and Brown were the main men on the winning side, while Third Lanark's wing half-backs put in the best efforts for the losers. All defenders played well.
The game was only 90 seconds old when M'Phail connected with a pass from Meiklejohn, beat Denmark, withstood a charge from Hamilton, and beat Muir with a shot from about 10 yards out.
Rangers had a strong wind behind them in the first half, and after this goal most of the onlookers expected the Ibrox men to build up a substantial lead.
THIRD LANARK RALLY
Such expectations were not fulfilled, however. Third Lanark settled to a stuffy game, and it was soon seen that all was not well with the Ibrox attack. Fiddes seemed to be unfit, afraid to take any risks, and he soon had a short spell in the pavilion.
In early attacks by Third Lanark Gallacher provided the few touches of class football seen throughout the game, and Dawson stopped efforts by Kennedy and Kinnaird. Simpson was not comfortable, and on one occasion Dawson had to twist like a contortionist to stop a pass back from the centre half.
Smith came near to scoring at the other end, but he and Denmark clattered to the ground, and Muir ran out and cleared. A couple of corners on the right were rather feebly taken by Fiddes, and then Meiklejohn took one and landed the ball on the top of the net.
Play in the first half was much closer than had been anticipated, and as Rangers had to face the strong wind in the second half and only held an interval lead of one goal, their prospects were not bright.
Rangers opened the second half with another burst, but the Cathkin defenders now found it easier to get the ball away, and the Ibrox attack was not sustained.
Time and again the Cathkin forwards took play towards Dawson, and Meiklejohn played gallantly as a fourth back. Kinnaird and Kennedy were the most prominent raiders, but their colleagues were weak when the ball came across goal.
DAWSON PROMINENT
Third Lanark were easily the better team at this period, but, try as they would, they could not get the ball past Dawson, who was in the best of form. Kennedy and Hay had particularly good efforts stopped.
And as play wore on one got the impression that Third Lanark would not score, and the continual howl of their supporters began to weaken.
Then Smith, of Rangers, provided the last thrill of the game. Third Lanark had thrown their all into attack when Denmark completely missed his kick and allowed Smith a clear run in on goal.
Off went the centre with the goal 30 yards in front of him. Muir came out of his goal, and the centre dodged this way and that before sending the ball into goal. Smith's hesitation, however, had allowed Carabine time to get between the posts, and he kicked the ball out. So the easiest chance of the game was missed. Teams:--
RANGERS--Dawson; Gray and Cheyne; Meiklejohn, Simpson, and Brown; Fiddes and Ventera; Smith; M'Phail and Turnbull.
THIRD LANARK--Muir; Carabine and Hamilton; Blair, Denmark, and M'Innes; Howe and Gallacher; Hay; Kennedy and Kinnaird.
Referee--J.M. Martin, Ladybank.
Glasgow Herald, Monday, April 20th, 1936.
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