Clydebank 4
Queen's Park 2
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Clydebank rounded off 1966 in style with a thoroughly deserved 4–2 victory over Queen’s Park at New Kilbowie. The Spiders came into the match with confidence but were ultimately well beaten by a Bankies side growing in stature with each passing week.

The win, followed by a creditable draw against Dumbarton just days later, bodes well for the upcoming Scottish Cup tie at Boghead.

The undoubted star of the show was once again Frank Russell. The diminutive forward delivered two moments of real magic, his goals turning the tide and lifting the crowd in what was a lively and, at times, feisty encounter.

Queen’s started brightly and looked the sharper side in the opening exchanges, but they were rocked just four minutes in by a moment of brilliance from Russell. Picking up the ball near the bye-line, he whipped in a swerving effort that left the visiting keeper rooted to the spot.

The visitors responded with the best goal of the afternoon on 16 minutes, when outside-right Emery weaved his way past three defenders before delivering a pinpoint cross for centre-forward Buchanan to convert first time.

Clydebank weren’t rattled, though, and regained the lead before the break. Tony Moy was on hand in the 39th minute to slot home from a McCallum cross after a well-worked build-up down the flank.

The second half belonged firmly to the Bankies. Russell grabbed his second and Clydebank’s third just ten minutes after the restart, once again causing havoc from the bye-line before smashing the ball home with an emphatic finish.

As the game wore on, it became increasingly physical, with both sides dishing out their fair share of tough challenges. Clydebank were on the receiving end of some rough treatment, and although they weren’t entirely innocent themselves, the referee's decisions often felt a little one-sided.

The fourth goal arrived in the 65th minute, with full-back Davie Mitchell popping up in the box after a scramble. Russell, at the heart of it again, threaded the ball through a crowd of players for Mitchell to finish.

Queen’s Park pulled one back late on through Buchanan, who bagged his second of the match, but it was too little, too late.

This was a performance full of confidence, flair and growing maturity from Clydebank, with Frank Russell once more proving why he's fast becoming a fan favourite.

Match report written by Stuart McBay