Whitletts Victoria 0
Clydebank 1
League (Super Division One)

Match Report

The Bankies first ever visit to Whitletts was to be a pleasant experience for fans and players alike. The supporters were able to enjoy their surroundings on a lovely sunny day, with a bacon roll if you wanted one. The players had their first real meaningless game of the season, where the emphasis was more on getting through the match without getting hurt for the big games coming up against Lanark.

The Bankies are so match ready lately, that they don’t seem to be able to take it easy, however, and they dominated this match for long spells. In the opening ten minutes four decent chances were created. Kilpatrick shot wide when he was the recipient of a lucky break of the ball, then a Jones free kick wasn’t too far away after Dallas had been fouled. Campbell was next up when a ball inside to Ross Campbell was controlled and struck well, but the big defender was unlucky to see his shot deflect out for a corner. From this corner, the ball came off a defender and cannoned off the cross bar and away to safety.

Whitletts were restricted to long range efforts as the Bankies continued to put the home side under pressure. After 28 minutes a deep cross to the back post was nodded across the six yard box by Vezza where Kilpatrick slid in only to see the ball scoop over the bar. Dallas then bravely headed over the bar from a corner in a situation where most people wouldn’t put their feet, never mind their head. With the break approaching Kilpatrick and Fitzsimmons both came close to breaking the deadlock but the stalemate remained as the ref brought the half to an end.

Whitletts had their best spell after the break and could count themselves unlucky not to have taken the lead on two occasions. The first was a fine McGivern header from a corner kick, that was blocked by Hailstones’ knees on the goal line, then a huge punt up the pitch by the keeper went beyond Campbell and Soutar where McGivern found himself clean through. He lifted the ball over the advancing Campbell, but the ball cleared the bar by a foot.

The Bankies had still been creating a few chances all the while with Jones having a couple of long range efforts easily saved by Sime. With 63 minutes gone, the Bankies finally took the lead. From around 40 yards out Mark Hailstones rifled in a beautiful ball over the defence towards the back post. Alan Vezza ghosted in and guided the ball on the volley past the stranded Sime in the Vics goals.

With thirteen minutes remaining Allum almost killed the match when he was beneficiary of another fine cross ball from Hailstones. The Bankies defender hit a sweet first time shot, but Sime did well to scramble across his goal and push the ball away.

The Bankies continued to probe for a second goal with Dallas having a shot cleared off the line, and further chances falling to MacQueen, Campbell and Kilpatrick, but the goal was not to come and the Bankies finished off their league campaign with a comfortable victory.

This was the perfect match to keep the players ticking over for the big matches against Lanark next week, and with a few days of rest for a change hopefully the players will be ready fro the biggest matches in a long time for the club.