Shotts Bon Acc 2
Clydebank 0
League (Super Division One)

Match Report

A goal in either side of half time was enough to sink the Bankies and condemn them to their first league defeat of the season. The strong wind married with the openness of Hannah Park meant any chance of a decent footballing spectacle would be nigh on impossible.

The Bankies elected to shoot into the wind and were soon under pressure, however Shotts were having trouble judging the wind speed and time and again the ball sailed out of play.

Boyack spurned the home side's first real opportunity, and soon after Hailstones came close after creating a shooting chance for himself

Despite having the wind at their backs, Shotts found themselves with more defending to do, as Maxwell volleyed over and then Jordan's cross was caught in the wind and Smith in the Shotts goal had to scramble across his goal line to save.

With half time approaching, the Bankies were looking to reach the break without conceding, as the stiff wind would undoubtedly give the visitors the advantage in the second half. however, Shotts were beginning to find their passes around the box. Boyack had a free kick saved by Gonet and then Barr missed the best opportunity thus far by shooting over.

Budgie McGhie had to suddenly alter his half time team talk when the Bankies fell behind with virtually the last kick of the half. A wind assisted clearance from deep in the Shotts half sailed over the Bankies defence, and was controlled quite magnificently by Goodwin who then proceeded to thrash an unstoppable shot into the net.

For quarter an hour of the second half the Bankies took the game to Shotts. Alan Jack twice, David Fisher and Jordan all had shots off target. The best of the chances fell to Andy Selkirk, who was the beneficiary of a powering run in to the box by Pul Allum. However, the luckless striker shot weakly and the goalkeeper was able to save. A better chance would not come the visitors way again.

Perhaps, the Bankies could have had a penalty during this period, but it was not to be and in any case Shotts delivered the lethal blow with their first shot of the second half. With just over an hour on the clock, the Bankies rear guard were caught ball watching as Wishart beat his man on the left wing and sent in a low cross that was fired home by the umarked, Barr.

As the wind began to drop. so did the Bankies confidence and the remaining half hour was difficult to watch as Shotts quite comfortably saw out the remaining time. The disappointing aspect is that Shotts scored with about their only opportunity of the second period, but it was enough as Budgie McGhie's men were not so sharp at the other end.
McIntyre almost pulled one back with a point blank header, but Smith saved bravely. Smith was called into action again when Lynn sent in a vicious left footed drive, but the keeper go down well to smother the ball.

The match ended in a sour note as a frustrated Paul allum picked up a second booking which earned him a needless red card

The shot count shows that the Bankies had 13 attempts to Shotts 6, and it is clear this is where the Bankies frailties lie. The top scorer this season only has two goals and the lack of fire power cost victory over Renfrew, and could easily have done the same against Kilbirnie earlier in the season. Budgie McGhie told the Evening Times this week that he was looking at rectifying this problem area. Hopefully, this will be addressed shortly before the promotion bid falters.