Beith Juniors 1
Clydebank 4
League (Super Premier Division)

Match Report

Clydebank couldn’t have hoped for a better start to the new Premier League Season as they got off to a flyer by thumping Beith by four goals to one. Goals from Gold, McPherson, Hailstones and a Wilson own goal turned around an early strike by Reid for the home side.

Much has been made of the fact that Clydebank lost two of their stars from last season, but if this kind of form can be maintained then the loss of MacKinnon and Strachan will be no more than a distant memory. This was the ninth straight victory for the club in the league in a remarkable run that now stretches back to January.

The acquisition of the experienced Joe Andrews at first glance appears to be a fantastic piece of business by Budgie McGhie as he was involved in the build up of the Bankies first two goals and was unlucky not to find the net himself, as he crashed a shot off the bar midway through the first half.

It was the home side however, who made the brighter start. Made to shoot down the famous hill in the first half seemed to backfire on the Bankies as Beith rushed into a sixth minute lead. A low hard cross from the left was neatly finished by Andy Reid.

It took a while for Clydebank to feel their way into the match and the early goal added to the pressure. By the time Joe Andrew hit the cross bar the tide was turning, and it was only two minutes before the equaliser was scored. A fine passing move which saw Andrew deftly flick the ball to Ian Gold was finished with some aplomb as he beautifully curled the ball into the corner of the net.

The Bankies took the lead a minute into the second period. It was Andrew again who played a lovely pass beyond the Beith defence which Ross McPherson was able to latch onto. A much more confident looking McPherson strode into the box and smashed the ball into the net.

Clydebank should have wrapped the points up in the early moments of the second half. Gold was put through on goal but his prodded shot caught goalkeeper Greenwood’s heel and out for a corner. Paul Allum was then unlucky to see a shot go a foot over the bar.

With only a goal in it Beith began to come back into the game. This was the vital period of the match as the goal never game despite several near things. McGowan managed lift the ball beyond Hamilton, only to see it cleared away at the last second, and then Hamilton produced fine stops from Reid and McLean.

A miss by Irvine with only three minutes remaining was probably the most decisive as his diving header went fractionally wide of the post. From almost securing a point for Beith, to losing the game disastrously shows how cruel a sport football can be as Clydebank scored not once, but twice in the final moments.

Bankies two substitutes combined when Ally Graham made a fine run to the bye line squaring the ball for Hailstones to knock it in at the back post. Hailstones then turned provider by dispossessing a Beith defender and his attempted cross to Graham was cut out by Gary Wilson who only succeeded in putting past his own keeper.

In truth, there probably weren’t three goals in it, but the Bankies can be happy with their day’s work. Andrew, Martin and Wilson were the best performers on the day, with McPherson, Allum and Gold not far behind. The second season in the top flight can always be an awkward season for a club, as there are no longer any surprises. It is only one game, but the signs are good that the club can be competitive once again.

Match report written by Stuart McBay