Clydebank 2
Berwick Rangers 4
League (Division 2)

Match Report

A bumper crowd descended on Kilbowie Park on Saturday as the Bankies welcomed Scottish Cup giant-killers Berwick Rangers, fresh from their famous victory over Glasgow Rangers. And while Clydebank gave them a spirited test, the Border side ultimately showed the cutting edge and polish that has underpinned their recent run of success.

The atmosphere was electric, with the home support turning out in force—by far Clydebank's largest crowd of the season—and even the Berwick players were warmly applauded by the Kilbowie faithful as they took to the pitch. The early stages of the match reflected the energy in the stands, with Clydebank pressing forward purposefully in search of an opener.

But it was the visitors who struck first in the 17th minute. Dowds, a constant menace on the wing, floated in a fine cross which George Christie met with a powerful header past Sandy McLachlan. Berwick doubled their lead seven minutes later when Sammy Reid, their cup hero, ghosted into space to sweep home a clever pass from Ainslie.

Clydebank responded with a moment of real quality. Frank Russell embarked on a mazy run through the Berwick defence before setting up Tony Moy, who guided the ball past the young keeper Andy Neil to reduce the deficit. The goal sparked such excitement that young fans poured onto the pitch to celebrate with the players—a moment of chaotic joy that delayed the restart.

Just before the interval, tensions flared. In an off-the-ball incident, Willie McCallum and Berwick’s Russell Craig were both shown the sent off following a scuffle in midfield. With both sides down to ten men, the match opened up even more in the second half.

Bankies came out firing and clawed another goal back on 65 minutes. From a Joe Rankin pass out wide, Russell collected the ball, beat his man, and unleashed one of his trademark rockets into the net to bring the score to 3–2. For a brief moment, the match hung in the balance.

But Berwick, even without their player-manager Jock Wallace—who was away scouting future Cup opponents—regained their composure. Just three minutes after Russell's strike, McLachlan failed to hold another Dowds cross, and Ainslie reacted quickest to bury the rebound and restore the two-goal cushion.

Clydebank's midfield duo of Collumbine and McGhee worked tirelessly to regain control, and Eddie Jenkins again showed his growing influence. In defence, Graham Small and John McGill battled manfully, though Small was unfortunate to concede the earlier penalty from which Reid had made it 3–1.

Despite a few late surges from the home side—including a fierce effort from Russell that narrowly missed—Berwick held firm. Their well-drilled, intelligent attacking play, particularly from Dowds and Reid, ultimately proved the difference.

This was Clydebank’s first home defeat since the start of November, but it came against a side full of confidence and quality. The Bankies remain level on points with local rivals Dumbarton, who slipped up away to East Stirlingshire, and can take heart from the spirit shown against such strong opposition.

Match report written by Stuart McBay