Berwick Rangers 1
Clydebank 1
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Clydebank, the only team in Britain without a point prior to Saturday's match, came close to snatching a remarkable victory against Berwick. The final score finished 1-1, with Clydebank's late surge leaving a sense of missed opportunity.

The visitors found inspiration in their equaliser, scored by McGhee with a powerful 20-yard shot that left Berwick goalkeeper Tait with no chance.

Berwick squandered several opportunities in the first half, despite lively play from newcomer Sammy Reid. McLaren was particularly unlucky, seeing two good efforts saved.

The home side did take the lead in the 22nd minute through Dowds, following a save from Veitch. However, Clydebank displayed commendable team spirit and never gave up, eventually earning a deserved equaliser in the second half.

From that point onwards, the game hung in the balance, with both sides pushing for a winner. Clydebank, playing with greater confidence, looked more likely to snatch the victory. Only Tait and Coutts managed to salvage any credit for a disappointing Berwick performance.

The draw will undoubtedly boost morale for Clydebank after a dismal start to the season. New signings, goalkeeper Sandy McLachlan and left-half Davie Mitchell, made their debuts and contributed positively to the team's performance, offering hope for a brighter future.

Match Report adapted by Stuart McBay

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There is one consolation to be gained from Saturday's dismal performance by Berwick Rangers. They cannot get any worse. If. by chance they do, then they can expect to spend the season trailing along at the foot of the table.

To me, this was Berwick's worst display of the season. Exempt Ian Tait and Doug Coutts from the criticism. Tait had a first-class game. and Coutts although he made the odd mistake not only did his own job but also that of the full Packs.

Not another Ranger can escape censure, though some were worse than others. But the lackadaisical way in which they passed the ball to opponents, the lack of pace and lack of team spirit emphasise what I said in my pre-match write up that the langer signals are up.

Berwick ought to have cake- walked this game and they started off as though they would, But they fell to the standard of Clydebank who had not gained a solitary point, and played as though they never looked like gaining one for most of the first half

But what a transformation after the interval. Clydebank realised that there was at least one team comparable to them in mediocrity. They fought back well; they got a goal, and they might have won. What a reflection on Berwick's ability.

Normally there is little cause for alarm in defence. But Craig and Haig were as jittery as any pair of full backs I've seen this season.

Kilgannon, back after illness, was right out of touch and Boyce, though making an impact because of the number of times he won possession in midfield, frequently tossed away the advantage by shoddy passing.

The forwards were poor. Young McLaren, in the middle, missed some chances but at least he tried to put some vigour into it, Reid opened well and so did Veitch, but they began to be swept off the ball and by the interval they had fallen to the low level of the other forwards on view. The wingers were seldom in it.

Clydebank spent the 45 minutes of the first half showing us that they were one of the poorest sides ever to visit Shielfield. They were weak in defence, and despite some neat moves, lacked punch in attack. But they were never disheartened, and they came on to a game in the second half which threatened to overwhelm Berwick. Skipper McGill, 'keeper McLauchlan, McDonald, Jenkins and Horn form the nucleus of a side which could eventually achieve considerable success.

Berwick made a tough job of it in the first half when the 'Bankies kept worrying them with direct raids.

In the opening 10 minutes Berwick did all the attacking and Reid was early prominent with a good through pass to Lumsden whose shot was saved by McLauchlan.

But a Horn header, brilliantly saved by Tait, lifted the spirits of Clydebank and before half time the keeper saved well from Horn and McCallum.

Rangers did more of the attacking and Veitch twice, McLaren and Lumsden all missed easy chances. The goal which put them in the lead came from Dowds, his first this year. He tapped the ball home after McLauchlan had done well to parry a fierce Veitch shot.

McLaren hit the upright with a cracking drive from close in, then Boyce missed a free kick 20 yards out, shooting well wide of the post. The Rangers defence was far from happy although Tait and Coutts were holding firm but 'Bankies were playing with more thrust than a team struggling at the foot of the table usually does.

First shot of the second half came from Mitchel! and it was well held low down by Tait. At the other end Dowds shot high over after a good four-man move, then MacLauchlan saved well from Dowds. Play was scrappy with Berwick guilty of too many misplaced passes. Boyce laid on a gift for McLaren when he beat three men, drew the 'keeper and cut it back to him.

McLaren had the ball in the net but was adjudged to have fouled the 'keeper then Moy headed over for Clydebank.

McGhee shook Berwick to the roots in 75 minutes when he picked up a pass from Jenkins wheeled then cracked it home.

McLaren got in a shot from an acute angle which was deflected for a corner by McLauchlan.

Towards the end Clydebank began to play some of their best football and had Rangers defending. An on-range effort by Moy was only just off target, and with two minutes left McLaren failed to get a boot to a Veitch pass.

Match Report by Unknown (Berwick Advertiser)