The Thistle Archive

Media report

BRILLIANT SCOTTISH SHORTPASSING GAME. The Scots contented themselves with putting two goals behind Hofstad. An instructive display of football at the stadium last night. The man of the day at the stadium yesterday was the photographer who, in the second half, lined up behind the Scottish goal with his camera at the ready. He must be allowed to be called the world's greatest optimist. We are terribly afraid that should he have waited until Brann scored against Partick Thistle he must have probably stayed there for quite a long time! We are not saying this to spite Brann. No-one is waiting, no-one is allowed to wait, for a Norwegian amateur team to prove itself against a Scottish professional team on a grass pitch, mind you. But we mention it to illustrate the Scots, total mastery of the game. There was only one team - the eleven ball artists from Glasgow. The ground wouldn't have had to use more than one half of the pitch, the one in which Brann's goal in each half was located. You could probably say that it was an undivided indulgence to see the Scottish Cup finalists in action, except for those who had the thankless task of playing against them. But the rest of us who could enjoy this brilliant display of perfect Scottish short-passing in peace found it to be no less an experience and we would not have minded in seeing much more of this demonstration of how football will be played. In other words it can be concluded that Partick Thistle's away game was thoroughly successful also because these Scots played fair ball and because they saw their main goal in the exhibition game on the field, not in the greatest possible goal scoring.

The result, of course, has nothing to do with the playing strength of both teams, but the distribution of the game. About 47-0 would have expressed it more correctly. But the Scots were so difficult as far as goals are concerned, they were so obviously superior and 2 against 0 could have been enough. A certain role is also played by the fact that it is far more difficult to find an opening for a goal under constant pressure than with more distributed play with the resulting more open defence. It must be done to penetrate the compact wall of all the opposing players in front of goal. Finally, Brann's defence should be given a fair share of the credit for the poor Scottish goal tally. They behaved like heroes and not least they gave Hofstad an excellent effort. Today he really got an opportunity to test his skills and he stood the test and saved Brann from a heavy sabering. The back pair also did their part, although Walde many times went into attack in vain on the more than usual quick outer runner on the Scots' right side. On the other hand, we were quite disappointed with the half row especially with Sander and Kjos, the former saw an extremely small part in this match and the runners had little chance to get a foothold and were then unable to break through the solid defence on the other side.

All in all, Brann can be pleased with the match. The result looks good in the table and the Scots' game was a lesson that will undoubtedly be useful, Brann was also missing Berstad, Kongsvik, Johnse yesterday and had Kubon as right-half and the following attacking line: Jensen, Davidsen, John Lonnebotten, Dahle and Osland. The Scottish team was above criticism. The goalkeeper was talked about a lot beforehand but unfortunately we didn't get to see what he was up to. The back pair was strong, solid and safe and the half row did an excellent job of support and followed up in attack so there was never anything open space at this point as we often see it in our home teams. The ones who were the funnest to watch were however the runners - there all played so outstandingly that it was pure joy to watch. The centering went quickly between man and man without major facts but with many small clever tricks and body movements which brought complete confusion to the defending party. Next to Jackson and Smith in Huddersfield we have probably never seen such perfect forward play here in the city. Incidentally, a man like inner-left Ballantyne doesn't give in to these much either.

The course of the game is a chapter there is really no intention of getting into. The majority of the game took place in Brann's half throughout and did not once do what could be called a dangerous situation near Jackson's cage. The two goals divided the Scots with one in each half. In the first half it was Sander who provided the presentation to centre-runner SIMPSON who had no difficulty in putting in the goal. 23 minutes had then passed. Shortly before, the Scots had just been awarded a penalty kick as Walde stretched his legs under the outside-right but Hofstad saved this brilliantly and the new shot that followed was blocked by the post. BALLANTYNE scored the second goal after 70 minutes that one might have expected Hofstad to save but of course it was his only debit entry yesterday. The match had not gathered more than 3,000 people - people probably had little faith that Brann could avert a sabre and besides, it was hardly wise to take 1.50 kroner for a place. It would certainly have worked out better to take 1 kroner and get several more spectators. Not because they got their money's worth, those who got to see Partick Thistle. F. Schieldrop was the judge. We did not really agree with a couple of his decisions and one we did not understand at all but otherwise we have no objections - as a whole it will be very satisfactory.

FULL HOUSE FOR SIMPSON

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