Vale of Clyde 1
Clydebank 1
League (Super Division One)

Match Report

Clydebank stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches after sharing the spoils with Vale of Clyde at Fullarton Park to remain in second place in the league. Never a happy hunting ground for the Bankies, Stevie Dallas’ opener was cancelled out by Robert Coulter to earn the home side a draw. Budgie McGhie’s men will be ruing the amount of missed chances whilst the Vale will feel they deserved a draw in the end with a spirited comeback.

Despite the return of Mark Hailstones to the squad after missing last weeks win against Whitletts, Budgie McGhie elected to keep Ross McPherson in the line up in an otherwise unchanged starting eleven.

For the first half hour of this contest, Clydebank were far and away the better side and were exuding the confidence that had seen them go unbeaten since the opening league match of the season. After only five minutes it should have been 1-0. MacKinnon showed fantastic strength to shrug off a challenge on the right hand side bye-line where he fired in a low, hard cross, which was met first time on the volley by Stevie Dallas. Unfortunately, the ex- Petershill man saw the ball fly over the bar from only a few yards out.

Skip forward five minutes and striking partner Ross McPherson fluffed a goal scoring chance when he latched onto a Dallas nod on. He side stepped his man, but failed to get any power behind the ball and it was an easy stop for Hamilton in the Vale goal. After quarter of an hour the Bankies continued to press and Stewart was lucky to only receive a yellow card as he scythed down Paul Allum on the edge of the box. Martin McComish had a dip from the resultant free-kick, only for Hamilton to deny him by tipping the ball over the bar.

As the midway point of the half approached, another chance went begging as Dallas headed over from close range from a long diagonal Crawford cross. In fairness to the Bankies striker, he probably saw the ball late as it was missed at the last moment by a Vale defender.

It took until the 27th minute before the home side threatened the Bankies goal, and even then it was accidental. A free kick was flighted in from the right hand side and was flicked on at the near post. The ball then ricocheted towards the Bankies goal as it struck a defender, however Gonet was alert to change his direction and smother the ball.

This near thing seemed to waken up the Vale and a minute later they could have taken the lead when a dinked cross ball was met by Stewart at the back post. Luckily for the Bankies Moffat was in attendance and did enough for the header to be screwed over the bar. The Bankies suffered a blow when McInnes had to go off with a twisted knee after 33 minutes, and the home side continued to be a menace to the Bankies goal. The next effort was from ex-Bankies James McKinstry who sclaffed a shot just high of the goal.

As the half was drawing to a close the Bankies regained their composure and took the lead with a goal of stunning simplicity. A huge lump up the park was headed clear by Crawford into the centre circle. McPherson stopped the ball in the path of MacKinnon who charged forward before feeding the ball to Dallas just inside the box. The Bankies striker then moved the ball inside onto his right foot and curled an unstoppable shot in to the top corner of the net to score his third goal in four matches. The goal possibly came against the run of play, but in overall terms was deserved.

The second period was a much more even and open affair, and it was felt that if the Bankies could just net that crucial second goal that the three points would, in all likelihood, be heading back to Clydebank. Ross McPherson was the first to have a bite of that particular cherry when his attempted lob from the edge of the box drifted over the top.

However, Vale of Clyde were determined not to let that happen, and Stirling was not too far away after 57 minutes with a free kick that curled round Stefan Gonet’s right hand post. A minute later and Stirling almost put the game beyond doubt when he almost netted at the other end. In a moment of mis-communication with his goalkeeper the ball dribbled just wide of the post from his attempted passback with Hamilton stranded.

Just after an hour and the Bankies should really have put the game to bed when McComish missed a golden opportunity from eight yards. It was a fantastic build-up as well involving MacKinnon and McPherson, and when the former’s cross reached McComish he couldn’t quite the dig the ball out from his feet, and the goalkeeper saved from what turned out to be a weak effort. Moments later and Barry Crawford headed a Gary Lynn free kick towards ball, but Hamilton claimed it in the home goal.

In the first period, the Bankies dominated the first half-hour, only to allow the home side to come back into it, and the second half was to repeat this pattern. It would be more costly this time, however as the visitors had clearly had their chances to extend the lead. The first signs of the fight back were when Stefan Gonet had to desperately scoop the ball off the line as the Tin Pail almost scored direct from a corner kick.

The home side were imposing themselves with more authority, but Stefan Gonet’s goal was not being particularly troubled. So, it was with great dismay that Vale of Clyde equalised with as soft a goal as you are likely to see. With only 12 minutes remaining a long straight free kick was flighted into the Bankies box. Ross Campbell may well have been subject to a push as Coulter rose to meet the ball, but it was Stefan Gonet who should have done better as he was beaten to the ball by the big defender as he glanced it into the net.

Both sides could have gone on to win it as they passed up goalscoring opportunities MacKinnon and Lynn both shot over the bar. The latter just a foot over from a free kick. For their part, Marshall was prevented from scoring as Gonet saved bravely at his feet, and then Franchetti missed by a whisker from an eighteen yard drive.

It was a frustrating afternoon for the Bankies as they had created plenty of chances to win the match, and more crucially when they had the lead as a second goal would have most likely won the tie. However, they let Vale of Clyde into the match, and ultimately two points slip from their grasp. On a positive note, the unbeaten run continues and with two more away ties to follow it is vital that points continue to be picked up away from home

Match report written by Stuart McBay