Clydebank 0
Morton 1
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Clydebank may have lost by the narrowest of margins on Saturday, but their spirited performance against runaway league leaders Morton will be remembered as one of their most courageous displays of the season. In front of a strong home crowd of 4,609 at Kilbowie Park, the Bankies came within a whisker of upsetting the odds, only to be undone late in the game after losing their goalkeeper to injury.

The hero of the hour for Clydebank was undoubtedly Sandy McLachlan. For 70 minutes, the Dumbarton-born 'keeper produced a masterclass in shot-stopping, frustrating Morton’s highly rated forward line time and again. From the opening whistle, when Joe Mason threatened with three chances in as many minutes, McLachlan stood firm, commanding his box with assurance and keeping his side in the contest.

Clydebank were far from passengers in the match, however. As the game settled, the Bankies’ wingers began to find joy down the flanks, capitalising on rare gaps in the Morton defence and keeping the visitors on edge. Though clear chances were few, the effort and attacking intent on show belied the league positions of the two sides.

The match’s pivotal moment came with 20 minutes to go. McLachlan, still unbeaten, was forced off after a collision with teammate Tony Moy left him concussed. In his absence, Small took over between the posts, while Wark dropped to right-back to plug the defensive gap. But within five minutes of the reshuffle, Morton finally broke through.

A swift attack ended with Joe Harper collecting the ball just outside the area. He turned quickly and rifled a shot into the far corner, beyond the stand-in keeper, to give the visitors a lead they scarcely deserved on the balance of play.

Clydebank battled on until the final whistle, but the loss of their goalkeeper had sapped some of their earlier momentum. Despite the defeat, the Kilbowie faithful showed appreciation for a side that matched the Second Division leaders stride for stride and might well have snatched a point—or more—had circumstances been kinder.

It was a performance full of grit and promise, and one that suggests the Bankies are capable of far more than their lowly league position suggests.

Match report written by Stuart McBay