Clydebank 4
Yoker Athletic 1
Sectional League Cup (Group 6)

Match Report

Clydebank well and truly laid to rest any lingering doubt that the combination of Holm Park and Yoker Athletic had some kind of magical hold over them by recording an emphatic 4-1 scoreline over their landlords.

Strangely, Yoker never showed any of the fight that has characterised their performances against the Bankies, especially in recent years when they have been several leagues below. In fact, the score could have been much worse for the Whe-ho and Yoker's gaffer John Brogan has plenty of thinking to do as they have now lost their opening two League Cup matches.

Just like the Maryhill match in midweek, it didn't take the Bankies long to get going with Charlie Hobbs netting after only 68 seconds. Ross Campbell sent a long ball out to the left wing, which Andy Paterson headed first time into the box. Hobbs came round the blind side of the defender and volleyed home from six yards. The Bankies were on their game and the second goal arrived after 18 minutes. Darian MacKinnon released Paul Allum down the right wing and Hobbs scrambled his low near post cross into the net

Yoker had no answer to the onslaught and six minutes later it was game over as Ross McPherson added a third. MacKinnon was involved again as he dinked the ball into the box, where McPherson neatly back-headed the ball into the far corner beyond Winslow.

Clydebank had umpteen chances to increase their tally before the break, but it was Yoker who perhaps had the best chance when the Bankies' trialist keeper made a poor connection with the ball from a kick out. Jamie Carson was the beneficiary as the ball went straight to his feet, but his first time effort at the empty goal saw the ball curl a foot or so wide of the post. Yoker were given a lifeline of sorts on the half time whistle as they pulled a goal back. Steven Wedlock headed in a free kick from the left wing at the near post via a fortunate ricochet off of Paul Bell.

The second period was littered with Clydebank misses as chances came and went. Hobbs was foiled by Winslow, then the keeper saved two headers from McPherson. Full back Paterson came close with a left-footed drive after being set up by MacKinnon. Then after 57 minutes the three goal advantage was finally restored.

Andy Paterson started the move with a left to right diagonal ball. Ross McPherson looked to be second favourite to win the ball out on the right wing, but he rose superbly to head into the path of the on rushing MacKinnon. The Bankies bustling midfielder took one touch before prodding the ball into the net giving Winslow no chance.

If they weren't already, Yoker now looked like a beaten team. With the sun on their backs, and the pitch in superb condition the Bankies passed the ball around crisply for the rest of the match. Almost every move resulted in a shot at goal with an impressive tally of 21 goal attempts recorded by the end of the ninety minutes.

It is doubtful if Yoker have put in a worse performance against the Bankies in the last nine years, but it would be disingenuous to ignore the quality of Clydebank's play. The real test for the Bankies will come when they meet Ashfield in the final group match on Saturday. The Bankies, of course, lost the league title decider against the Saracen Park men back in May and this will be a proper gauge of the club's readiness for the Premier League.

Match report written by Stuart McBay