Dumbarton 2
Clydebank 2
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Clydebank made it a New Year to remember with a hard-fought 2–2 draw away to local rivals Dumbarton in front of one of the biggest crowds of the season at Boghead. The Bankies twice came from behind in this derby clash, showing resilience and spirit that underlines how far they’ve come in their debut league campaign.

The Sons may have been tipped for victory on home turf, but the Bankies had other ideas, taking a well-earned point to end the festive league schedule with an unbeaten record over the holiday fixtures. With a win over Queen’s Park and another over Raith Rovers to follow, Clydebank had plenty of momentum heading into their return trip to Boghead for the Scottish Cup.

Dumbarton struck early, capitalising on slack defending in just the second minute. Rodger’s run drew the defence, and his cross found trialist Roy McCormack—borrowed from Yoker Athletic—unmarked to head into an empty net.

Clydebank responded positively. Crawford saved brilliantly from Rankine at close range, while McLachlan had to be alert at the other end to deal with efforts from Rodger and Young. A speculative header from Harra, met with ironic cheers from the home support, flew narrowly over but might have been a contender for goal of the season had it crept in.

Towards the end of the half, Clydebank began to assert themselves, and they got their reward in the 39th minute. Russell's low shot forced Crawford into a save, but the keeper could only push the ball onto the bar. As it dropped back into the six-yard box, Rankine reacted first to stab it over the line.

An injury to Dumbarton’s Kirk just before half-time saw McMahon introduced for the second half, and he made an immediate impact. On 62 minutes, he rose above the Bankies defence to meet another Rodger cross. McLachlan, once of Dumbarton himself, got a hand to the header but couldn’t keep it out as the ball squirmed into the net to restore the Sons’ lead.

Clydebank, though, refused to go quietly. Fourteen minutes from time, Rankine swung in a high cross that caught Dumbarton's defence flat. Their offside trap misfired, and McCallum rose to nod the ball home for the equaliser.

In the closing stages, it was Clydebank who looked the more likely to win it. Rankine’s drive from 18 yards brushed the bar, and Crawford spilled a fierce shot under pressure, forcing Harra into a desperate clearance off the line. The Sons hung on for the point, but they’ll know they were let off the hook.

Clydebank’s top performers were Collumbine, a rock at the back, and the attacking pair of Rankine and Russell, who were constant threats throughout. The Sons, meanwhile, missed the leadership of captain Ronnie Curran on a day when their defence wobbled and their forwards—bar McCormack and Rodger—misfired.

It finished honours even, but the Bankies will take plenty of confidence from the result—and their festive form—into the Scottish Cup rematch.

Match report written by Stuart McBay