Forfar Ath 4
Clydebank 1
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Clydebank’s wait for a first league win continued after a punishing second half at Station Park saw them fall to a 4–1 defeat against Forfar Athletic. The final scoreline flattered the home side somewhat, with the match finely balanced until the hour mark, but a late collapse from a stretched and patched-up Bankies team handed Forfar a comfortable victory in the end.

The visitors' preparations were thrown into disarray before a ball was even kicked. Regular goalkeeper Sandy McLachlan was taken ill on the team bus, and backup Ron Wilson was called into action. As if that wasn't enough, Tommy McGhee failed a late fitness test on his shoulder injury, and striker Davie Mitchell never made it at all due to car trouble en route. The only bright spot was the return of Joe Rankin after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Despite the disruption, Clydebank took the lead on the half hour. Collumbine was brought down in the box by Potter, and Tony Moy converted the resulting penalty. The goal came against the run of play, but Clydebank had been growing into the game and might have extended their lead when Moy missed a gilt-edged chance from close range.

Wilson, thrust unexpectedly into the spotlight, was outstanding. The tall stand-in keeper made a string of superb saves, including a brilliant stop from Thomas, and Forfar began to wonder what it would take to beat him. The Bankies defence, buoyed by their goalkeeper’s form, fought doggedly and got the rub of the green in several key moments—blocking shots, nipping in to intercept, and scrambling clear when needed.

However, the pressure told just past the hour. After relentless Forfar attacks, Thom finally made the breakthrough with a low effort that deflected off Clydebank’s right-back Small and wrong-footed Wilson. That goal opened the floodgates.

Five minutes later, a corner from Mackle caused havoc in the box. Kennedy's header bounced dangerously on the line and Mathews forced the ball home in a crowded goalmouth. The third came in the 73rd minute after a costly mistake—Collumbine mishandled a loose ball under pressure, and Thom reacted quickest to slot the ball past Wilson from close range.

Forfar’s fourth came five minutes from time, and it was a deserved reward for Kennedy, who had worked tirelessly all afternoon. Malcolm delivered a well-placed cross from the left, and Kennedy rose to power a header beyond Wilson to complete the scoring.

Despite the heavy scoreline, Clydebank stayed in the game for over an hour and looked capable of taking something from it until the goals started to flow. Their makeshift defence had held firm admirably under heavy pressure, and Wilson’s performance between the posts was one of the few positives from the afternoon.

Match report written by Stuart McBay