Kilsyth Rangers 2 v Glasgow Rangers 1. Monday, 30th April, 1965. Match report from some paper or other.
From the depths to the heights. Kilsyth Rangers who had sent their fans into the depths with a woeful display against Bonnybridge the previous Friday took them to the heights of elation by licking the big Rangers at Duncansfield on Monday.Yes, they gave the Ibrox men a sound beating here. Only the result was close. In every other way Kilsyth were well ahead. They beat the big fellas to the ball all the time and worried them into getting rid of it quickly. For all that the homesters did not scramble or get confused. They found their man with consistent accuracy and, indeed, any good football that was on tap came from the homesters. They played inspired stuff and made their opponents look a bunch of very raw juveniles. The big Rangers were very big. Here was quantity but little sign of quality. We waited for the power play, it never came. The famous Kithenbrand hardly got a look at the ball. He got practically got no support and was well shackled by young Cowie, who played with that verve and enthusiasm which pervaded the whole side. Ibrox attack was almost non-existent. Onlt towards the end did they give the homesters any trouble. Kilsyth forwards came away with a brand of stuff we had thought they had forgotten how to produce. Querrie turned shots and headers in from all angles. There was Douglas harassing the defence, dashing down the wing, chopping over lovely balls. And Kelly and newcomer Love, and McGregor too, roasting the life put of the big chaps. Yes, from Freebairn outwards Kilsyth Blues were right on their game, gone were the Bonnybridge blues.
Right from the start Kilsyth set the pace. In five minutes Douglas gave them the lead. He tried an overhead kick from a McClure throw-in and keeper Ritchie watched the ball sail past him and into the net. It was Kilsyth all the way with Querrie turning in some shots which were held by Ritchie. No2 came in 37 minutes. Querrie's shot came off the keeper and Douglas was there the prod the ball to the net. McGregor almost made it three with a terrific shot from 25 yards which Ritchie saved. Elliot whipped the pins from Querrie but the ref said no penalty. And so to half time With Kilsyth deservedly two up.
Halftime-----Kilsyth, 2; Glasgow Rangers, 0.
The Ibrox line-up was changed. Logie was brought on in place of Menzies, McCulloch and Scott switched wings. We were expecting some devastating action from the big Rangers now. But no, the Kilsyth men still had the upper hand. Only towards the close we saw some Ibrox attacking, but there was little method and Kilsyth men were too quck to lot the big men get teed up for a shot. Quite in contrast was the way the homesters got together. They had one particularly fine piece of combined work. A Westwater free-kick was passed to Querrie by McClure, Alex placed the ball in front of Kelly whose shot was scrambled clear at the post by Ritchie. The closing seconds brought a consolation goal for the visitors. Dodds , from well out on the left, sent a free-kick across goal and Kitchenbrand's head sent the ball flashing to the net. At last we had seen Kitch in action.
A most enjoyable evening for the home fans.
Rangers (Kilsyth) please give this sort of stuff more often, say when visiting Petershill and Ashfield.
Teams: Kilsyth; Freebairn, Westwater, McAndrew, Mochan, Cowie, McClure, Kelly, McGregor, Querrie, Love, Douglas.
Glasgow, Ritchie, Moles, Dodds, Menzies, Elliot, Thomson, McCulloch, Arniston, Kitchenbrand, Walker, Scott.
Referee, A. McClintock, Bishopbriggs.
Next instalment, " Revenge Is Sweet"
