Presentation of Cup to Arniston Rangers

Scenes of great enthusiasm were witnessed at Dalkeith on Saturday when Arniston Rangers by defeating Bonnyrigg Rose to the tune of 3 goals to 1, secured the custody of the East of Scotland Cup, which is the premier trophy in the district, and has been won by the "Maroons" on two previous occasions. At the presentation of the Cup, which took place in the Foresters' Small Hall at the conclusion of the game, the jubilation of the Arniston partisans reached high-water mark. In consequence the hall was packed to its utmost capacity with an audience composed almost entirely of supporters of the Gorebridge Club, who were naturally eager to witness the pleasant ceremony.

Mr. James C. Cunningham, President of the East of Scotland Junior Association, occupied the chair, and was accompanied by Provost Murdoch, who handed over the trophy to the winning team; Mr. Archibald Crawford prospective Coalition candidate for South Midlothian and Peeblesshire; Mr. Robert Hay, President of the Scottish Junior Football Association; and Mr. Alex. Dickson, Secretary of the East of Scotland Association. Amongst the audience were Baillie Doughty and Councillor Dalziel.

The Chairman, in his opening remarks, said it gave him great pleasure to preside, more especially because they had with them Provost Murdoch and some of his colleagues on the Dalkeith Town Council, to whom he, on behalf of the East of Scotland Junior Association, extended a hearty welcome. They were out to develop and foster the game of Association football, which was, after all, the national game, and if they could interest their civic authorities, it behoved them to do so. He also extended a hearty welcome to Mr. Robert Hay and Mr. Archibald Crawford. Continuing, he said this year the East of Scotland Football Association had completed its semi-jubilee, and as the premier Junior Association in the East of Scotland, its magnificent challenge trophy was considered the blue riband of the East. (Applause) Both finalists that day could lay claim to have won it before - Bonnyrigg in the second season of its inception, 1897 - 98, and Arniston in seasons 1909 - 1910. and 1912 - 1913. By winning the Cup that day Arniston had equalled the record of Vale of Grange in winning the Cup three times. (Loud and prolonged applause) The game that day had been carried on in a sportsmanlike manner - (hear, hear) - and he extended his congratulations to the winners, and also to the losers for putting up such a plucky fight in face of the odds against them. (Applause) That day had been the first time since the inception of the Cup that the East of Scotland Association had touched new ground for their final. In fact it was in the interests of both clubs that they came out to Dalkeith and they had got a good gate. He then called upon Provost Murdoch to present the trophy to the winning team. (Loud applause).

Provost Murdoch said it was with very great pleasure that he accepted the invitation to be present that day, and at the same time to have the privilege of handing over that beautiful trophy to the winners, Arniston Rangers. (Applause) He only wished that someone more conversant with the working of the Junior Association or one more in touch with this form of sport had been chosen. There were two reasons for him being asked to perform that pleasant duty. The first was that this was the first time that the burgh of Dalkeith had housed such an important tie, and as a matter of courtesy the Association had invited the Provost, Magistrates and Councillors to grace the ceremony. The second was that he was credited with taking a small part in securing King's Park as a football centre for the burgh of Dalkeith. (Hear, hear) He felt assured that this was a step in the right direction, and he thought he was right in saying on behalf of his colleagues in the Council, that they were unanimous after the boys came back from the war, that it was necessary for the Council to try to further the best interests of manly sport. The game that day had been just on the usual interesting cup tie lines, and he thought the losers would not grudge Arniston Rangers winning the cup. They got the goals and that is what is necessary to secure a victory. He congratulated the Rangers on again winning the East of Scotland Cup. It was the third time they had won it - all honour to them for doing so. (Applause) Amid loud and prolonged applause, mingled with jubilant shouts of "Good old Arniston" and "Good old Maroons", the Provost handed the handsome trophy to Mr. James Wood, the Rangers' representative on the East of Scotland Association.

Mr. Wood said that as the Arniston Rangers' representative he was delighted to have the Cup once more in his hands. On a former occasion, when he was a player, he had received the Cup, and he was pleased to think that his old club, Arniston Rangers, had again secured the trophy. (Loud applause)

Mr. Archibald Crawford, who is an old Association player and has always taken a keen interest in football generally, also made a few remarks.

In addressing the gathering, Mr. Robert Hay said they would agree that the President of the Scottish Junior Association was a much abused man. In fact he was more abused than "Big Aggie's Man". (Laughter) He was pleased to find that they had in Dalkeith a civic authority, who, to his mind, knew their duty to the people - (hear, hear) - and associated themselves with the people's game, that of Association football. (Applause) He was glad to know that Provost Murdoch had been instrumental in securing the pitch at King's Park, which, he thought was an acquisition to Junior football in Scotland. The Scottish Junior Association were anxious that the game should be conducted in a sporting spirit and that those who played the game would do in the highest sense, and accept their defeat in a sporting manner and say "We live to fight another day". (Applause) He complimented the officials and the chairman and his colleagues on the excellent arrangements they had made that day, and he asked those present to accord their best thanks to Mr. Cunningham for his conduct in the chair.

This was cordially acceded to:

The Chairman, in reply said, they were ably assisted in making their arrangements by the officials of the Dalkeith Thistle Football Club, and on behalf of the East of Scotland Junior Association he thanked that club for their help. Mr. Alex. Dickson also spoke, and Mr. Alex. Hogg, representative of Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic Football Club, in the course of a few remarks, congratulated Arniston Rangers on bringing the cup to Midlothian.

Thereafter, Garvie, the popular centre-half and captain of the Rangers, was surrounded by enthusiastic followers, and, holding the cup aloft, was carried shoulder high to the Harrow Hotel, where the health of the Rangers was cordially pledged. Later in the evening the winning team left for Gorebridge in a charabanc packed with supporters, the emblem of the Club's victory prominently displayed.

The Rangers were first to taste the fruits of success. After twenty minutes play Mable, their dashing outside right, initiated a movement, which culminated in Lennie snapping up a nice cross and beating Leckie, the home custodian, all ends up. This reverse stimulated the Thornliebank forwards to greater effort and after McCullouch had hit the side of the net, Gemmell, during a scrimmage in the Arniston goal area, managed to squeeze the ball over the line. The Rangers did not allow this state of affairs to continue very long, and after Mable had outstripped his opponents in a clever individual run, he succeeded in enticing Leckie from between the sticks and, tricking the custodian, piloted the ball into the net.

Half-time:- Arniston 2 goals, Thornliebank, 1.

With ends changed, Thornliebank applied severe pressure but had no luck. Shots from Gemmell and Peachy found the foot of the post, while a rocket from Anderson was touched over by Kinghorn for a fruitless corner. The homesters' hopes of victory faded out when Arniston again scored during their first spasmodic raid of this half, which was twenty-five minutes old. Gordon worked nicely up and crossed to Alston, who promptly scored. Until the final whistle blew, the homesters kept up a severe pressure, but the Rangers' defence was giving little or nothing away.

Result:- Arniston Rangers, 3 goals; Thornliebank, 1.

For the Gorebridge eleven Kinghorn, Thomson, Mable (finest forward afield) and Lennie impressed most.

Half-time - Arniston, 2 goals; Thornliebank, 0.

In the second period the spectators were treated to a clever and exceptionally fast display, but the respective defences were equal to all calls made upon them, and the game resulted:- Arniston Rangers 2 goals; Thornliebank, 0.

Newspaper Clipping dated 10.5.1923

Arniston Rangers Football Club - At the annual general meeting of the Arniston Rangers Football Club - Mr. Wm. Weir, President, in the chair - the following officials and Committee were appointed to hold office during the ensuing season:- President, Wm. Weir; Vice-President, Wm. Davidson; Treasurer, John Hardie; Financial Secretary, Adam Hogarth; Match Secretary, Robert Ramage; Representative, James Wood; Committee - Messrs. Jas. Peacock, Jas. Ramage, Jas. Toole, Peter Ramsay, L. Kinsley, R. Irvine, Geo. Barrie, J. Bernard, A. Juner, G. Wright, A. Lindsay, N. Sim, Wm. Simpson and Wm. Smith; Groundsmen - J. Peacock and J. Ramage; Ball-keeper - J. Ramage.

In the various ties of the competition the Rangers have given praiseworthy displays, but none equalled that to which they treated the 10,000 spectators who assembled within Partick Thistle's enclosure. The Glasgow club were no mean opponents, and consequently an exceedingly fast pace was set, both sides striving desperately to win. In the opening stages of the game Mable was prominent for Arniston with a sparkling run, but was eventually outnumbered. In the next minute Cruickshanks, for Port Glasgow created a thrill with a dash almost the full length of the field with the ball at his toe, but Gordon stopped his progress just in time. After twelve minutes play the Juniors took the lead, Thomson sending over a nice ball which was missed by Cruickshanks, but was snapped up by Cleaseley, who, lying unmarked, scored with a low drive, After this reverse Arniston pressed, and Alston and Walker forced a corner. The ball was sent into the goal area by the latter, and, after bobbing about the goalmouth for some time, was driven into the net by Willis. This success was followed by a second goal netted by Lennie, who scored after bursting through the Port Glasgow defence.

Half-time - Arniston, 2; Port Glasgow, 1.

Arniston in the second half took up the attack, and for a prolonged spell they had the better of matters, though they were unable to do further damage. The Eastern half-backs forcing work was one of the features of the play, and it was only a sterling display by the Western defence that kept the Arniston forwards out. There was no further scoring, and Arniston, who were always a shade the better side, scored a deserved and convincing win.

Result:- Arniston Rangers, 2 goals; Port Glasgow Juniors, 1.

In most quarters Arniston were regarded as favourites, but preconceptions were entirely upset in the first ten minutes of the game. Making a hurricane start, Bruntonians scored twice through Waterson, their bustling centre-forward, who profited in the first case by bungling on the part of the Arniston backs, and in the second by a faulty clearance on the part of the goalkeeper. A third goal headed through by Ralton after McLean had crossed the ball accurately, put the Bruntonians in a fairly safe position after only thirty minutes play. Arniston whose early play betrayed signs of "nerves", made a gallant attempt to mend matters in the second half, but they had little luck, and could make nothing of the confident defence opposed to them. The winners had the pull in physique, and were well served all round. Their success was a triumph for "first time" methods. Waterston's two goals stamped him as a centre-forward of the ready-witted type. He had a good right wing in Dalziel and McLean, the latter a player with Scottish League experience. Christie was the outstanding man at half, the backs were both steady, and Wilson, in goal, had several smart saves. Arniston's defence failed at the outset, and the forwards were not strong enough to make up the leeway. The team, however, showed some of the doggedness that had carried them through the various rounds. Willis at right half was one of their best men, and Reid and McCue developed a fair game at back in the later stages. At the close Mr. Tom White (Celtic), President of the Scottish Football Association, presented the Cup to the winners, Mr. J.D. Brunton accepting custody on behalf of the Musselburgh team.