Match Report

The Scotsman – Monday, 2nd November 1931, page 6

LEAGUE LEADERS HELD AT HOME

Celtic got a flying start against Motherwell at Fir Park when Napier scored twice for them in the first fifteen minutes. On the second occasion he gave the home defence a bad showing up, for he beat three opponents before slipping the ball past McClory from close range.

In face of these reverses the League leaders played up with wonderful spirit, and they only got their dues when Douglas rounded off a bombardment of Kennaway’s charge with a fine goal.

Celtic almost went further ahead shortly after the resumption when a grounder from McGhee rebounded from the post with McClory completely beaten. After that escape Motherwell hammered away, and twenty minutes from time Dowall secured the equaliser following good work by Ferrier and Macfadyen.

On the whole, a draw was a sound result. Motherwell’s dash and determination enabled them to have the better of the exchanges in a territorial sense, but Celtic were sounder in defence, and if their attacks were less persistent they lacked nothing in incisiveness.

The outstanding personalities in the home side were Ferrier and Macfadyen, Murdoch, Telfer, and Ellis also did well. Celtic had a grand defensive trio in McStay, McGonagle, and Cook, and Napier and McGhee were enterprising forwards.

Kennaway came through the game with credit, but the soft ground seemed to trouble him, and at times he slithered about in a way that was not confidence-inspiring. Early on he figured in an incident that provoked heated discussion. Before he could get rid of a shot from Murdoch, he was charged down, and the Motherwell players claimed that the ball was over the line. The referee’s decision to the contrary effect did not go down well with a section of the crowd.

The attendance was about 25,000.

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