Hamilton Accies 0
Clydebank 0
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Clydebank ground out a well-earned draw at Douglas Park in a scrappy encounter that lacked finesse but delivered a crucial point against a side with recent top-flight experience.

Hamilton, relegated from the First Division last season, failed to live up to their pedigree. The home side had their golden opportunity on the half-hour mark when they were awarded a penalty, but Vint's effort cracked against the upright and bounced harmlessly wide. It was a let-off for the Bankies and one that seemed to knock the wind out of Accies’ sails.

From that point on, Hamilton struggled to impose themselves. Although they frequently built promising moves from midfield, their forward line lacked composure and direction. Wayward shooting and misjudged final balls were the order of the day.

Clydebank, for their part, looked neat and composed through the middle of the park, with Frank Russell and Tony Moy orchestrating attacks alongside the tireless Willie McCallum. But they too were guilty of wastefulness in front of goal, failing to turn good build-up play into clear-cut chances.

The second half saw tempers fray as the tension grew. Hamilton’s Gaughan and Clydebank’s Ernie Collumbine both found themselves in the referee’s book, and there were one or two others who could count themselves fortunate not to join them.

Defensively, both sides stood firm. Centre-halves McGill (Clydebank) and Small (Hamilton) were particularly impressive, dealing with most that came their way with composure and authority.

All things considered, a goalless draw was a fair result—and a welcome one from Clydebank’s perspective. They remain just above bottom-placed East Stirlingshire on goal average, and with the two sides meeting at Kilbowie next week, the Bankies have a real chance to open up a gap and finally start climbing the table.

Match report written by Stuart McBay