 Media report |
| Sunday Post / Scotsman / Glasgow Herald |
TWO-PUNCH THISTLE. THEY are a discerning crowd the Glasgow football public. In their thousands they stayed away from Hampden yesterday, showing a sagacity that was confirmed by the poor fare served up. Never in the history of football conflict has so little been accomplished by so many. The only thrills were in watching Husband’s stupendous throw-ins from touch. That in itself speaks volumes. The Thistle left-half got ample opportunity to demonstrate his prowess, for the ball was as much on the cinders as on the grass. But if those shies please the crowd they accomplish little else. Time and again the ball was chucked well into the penalty area, but for all the use they made of it, Thistle’s forwards appeared to be as awestruck as the spectators. Kean’s absence and Finnigan’s withdrawal from the forward line deprived Hibs of fifty per cent of their attacking power. The forward line as constituted were too deliberate in their methods to make any impression on the quick-tackling Thistle defenders. Every time a green jersey got possession there was a Jag right on top of him and he was beaten before he could make up his mind.
Hibs should have opened the scoring early on when Parker missed a Combe pass to Smith. The centre-forward carried on to within eight yards then fluffed a feeble left-footer wide of the post. The first real shot of the game was a smashing 30 yards drive from Thistle’s Brown, perfectly saved by his namesake. COSTLY RESHUFFLE Just as we began to feel neither side could score, Thistle took the lead. McGeachy, who had been showing more than a few Caskie touches on the left wing, swung over a high cross and Candlin’s head just skiffed it in passing, landing it at Johnson’s feet. First time, the English guest player left-footed it right across goal into the side net. An injury to Hall just on half-time caused a complete reshuffle of the Edinburgh forces. But why was Finnigan, Hibs most progressive player, banished to left-back! With Weir at inside-right, Combe inside-left, and Peat at left-half, the Easter Road lot were completely disorganised. Yet it was here they came nearest to equalising, a 45 yard lob from Howie smacking the upright with Steadward well beaten.
As the end approached, Finnigan was quite sensibly moved up to right-half and almost immediately beat Steadward, only to see the ball hit the angle of the goal and bounce over. Then, at last, a well-executed movement – another goal and the Cup safe for Firhill. On a pass from Sharp, Johnson careered past Howie and cut the ball back to Brown. The inside-right’s shot was blocked out to McGeachy on the left. Hard and low he shot, stretching John Brown to palm the ball along the goal-line, whence Johnson lashed it home. If the game lacked class it was at least clean, scarce a dirty action throughout. In a Hibs side that never seemed to get together, Govan, Baxter, Finnigan and Caskie were the best performers. Bobby Baxter was unquestionably the best footballer on the field. For their first national trophy since that historic Scottish Cup victory over Rangers, Thistle can give thanks to Steadward, McGowan, Curran, Parker, Johnson and Brown.
George McLachlan, Sunday, Post, 1st July, 1945
The Scotsman wasn’t so critical, generally observing that Hibs had “battled hard against a solid Partick defence.” They wrote: “Partick Thistle were a much improved team as compared with some recent displays, the return of McGeachy and Sharp giving more vigour to the forward line. They played the better cup-tie football, going straight for goal when the chance offered, and showing plenty of thrust. They were well served in all departments, with Brown outstanding among the forwards.”
The Herald praised Jackie Husband and Bill Shankly: “Johnson scored both Thistle goals – one in each half – but it was their half-backs [Husband and Shankly] who were the match-winners. The superior teamwork came from Hibernian, although their forwards never played to form.”
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