Arbroath 3
Clydebank 0
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Clydebank’s midweek trip to Gayfield ended in disappointment, as Arbroath eased to a 3–0 win in a match where the scoreline arguably flattered the home side given their wastefulness in front of goal. Despite the comfortable margin, the Red Lichties left their supporters unconvinced, only shifting into gear after a sluggish first half.

The Bankies offered little at either end of the park, with a disjointed performance that saw them rarely trouble the Arbroath goal and defensively vulnerable throughout. A rare bright moment came early in the second half when an equaliser looked on the cards, but the chance went begging and Arbroath quickly put the game out of reach.

Both sides were forced into changes at half-time. Clydebank’s McDonald was withdrawn after picking up a thigh injury, with Russell replacing him, while Arbroath lost Jim Cant to a neck injury, later confirmed to be a strain, with Finnie taking over.

Arbroath made the early running, though their finishing left a lot to be desired. They thought they’d opened the scoring through Jack, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Easton fired narrowly wide before Cant wasted a great chance from close range. Further efforts came and went, with Wilson called into action to smother several threats.

The breakthrough finally came on 32 minutes. A cross from Jack was met by Cargill, whose header left Wilson with no chance. Clydebank’s response was limited, though McCallum did flash one effort wide in a rare foray forward.

Arbroath were handed a golden chance to double their lead just before the break when McDonald was penalised for handball. Kennedy stepped up to take the penalty, but Wilson pulled off a fine save. The referee ordered a retake for encroachment, but remarkably, Wilson denied Kennedy again to keep the score at 1–0.

Clydebank might have been level shortly after the restart. Newman found himself only yards from goal, but fired tamely at Williamson. It was a costly miss. Moments later, Arbroath swept downfield and Finnie drove a low shot just wide.

The Bankies survived another scare when Wilson spilled a shot from Jack, but the danger was eventually cleared. Then came a moment of real alarm for the home side when Stirling’s backpass caught Williamson out. The ball trickled along the goal-line, with McCallum just failing to apply the finishing touch.

That escape seemed to jolt Arbroath into action. On 67 minutes, Easton’s clever pass found Finnie, who made no mistake to double the lead. Just two minutes later, a defensive mix-up allowed Jack to race through and blast home a third.

Clydebank continued to plug away, and McCallum tested Williamson with a first-time effort that was tipped over, but the damage had long been done.

This was a disappointing night for the Bankies, who were out of sorts in most departments. With more clinical finishing, Arbroath could have inflicted a heavier defeat, but even as it stood, the gulf in sharpness and execution was clear. Improvements will be needed if Clydebank are to make headway in this unforgiving Second Division.

Match report written by Stuart McBay