| Match Pictures | Matches: 1951 – 1952 | 1951-52 Pictures |
Trivia
- Defending Cup Champions out at the first hurdle. The tie went to extra time and Thirds scored after 18 minutes.
- Difficult playing conditions again after the weather in Scotland slightly abated. 50 tons of sand were used on the Cathkin Park pitch to allow the game to go ahead with the referee declaring the pitch playable at 12:30. Despite this the sand over the ice below and the puddles made playing conditions and good football very difficult.
Review
The game really summed up Celtic this season. All potentially inspired players in the field but little cohesion and lacking the ability to find a finish.
Celtic made the best of the early running with Tully heading just over. Players were slipping and floundering all over the place and the game took on a sense of chance. Thirds scored the opener when Bonnar and Baillie got in a fankle allowing the ball to go out for a corner. McLeod’s kick was played out by Evans and from the resulting shy Henderson crossed to Docherty whose knock down was contested by Fallon and McLeod with the ball spilling out to Dick who fired home from 14 yards. Thirds did their best to hold on to the advantage taking no chances and hammering the ball away whenever possible.
Alex Rollo picked up an injury just before half time but he came on for the second limping heavily. Baillie went to left back, Peacock to left half and Collins with Rollo out on the right wing. After 4 minutes Rollo had to retire and Celtic played on with 10 men. Rollo eventually returned and spent his time limping along the right wing. Tully had the ball in the net but the goal was disallowed for an infringement on the defender. Celtic were playing well in the outfield but just could not score. With 15 minutes to go Rollo headed in a Walsh cross and Celtic were level. This put pay to Alex and he was stretchered off the field only to return 5 minutes from time.
So at 1-1 after 90 minutes the tie went to extra time. In the first period Evans uncharacteristically sliced a clearance and Third Lanark streamed forward and Docherty was there to get the goal.
Celtic were far better players man for man in the outfield but Third Lanark were resolute and played as a team to defend under pressure and take their chances when they could.
The best player for Celtic was Collins and most of the Celtic players especially Walsh were described as ‘losing the heid’. The forward line again failed to find the spark to goals with McPhail showing only sporadically.
The leg injury for Alex Rollo kept him out for the rest of the season.
Teams
Third Lanark:
Robertson; Balunas, Cairns; Mooney, Forsyth, Harrower; Henderson, Docherty, Cuthbertson, Dick, McLeod.
Scorers: Dick (23), Docherty (108)
Celtic:
Bonnar; Fallon, Rollo; Evans, Stein, Baillie; Collins, Walsh, McPhail, Peacock, Tully.
Scorers: Rollo (74)
Referee: D Gerrard (Aberdeen)
Attendance: 27,344
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
- Match Pictures
Articles
