Kirk Rob Roy 2
Clydebank 2
League (Super Premier Division)

Match Report

Clydebank looked to have finally extinguished the threat of the relegation play-offs this afternoon by picking up a valuable point against Kirkintilloch Rob Roy. Both sides were down to the bare bones in terms of team selection. So bad was it for the home side that they tried and failed to have the match postponed. The Bankies also struggled to get a team on the park with Deas and Pearson both starting three match bans. The Bankies were forced to draft three of the u-19s to make up the bench with manager McAnespie having to delay hanging up his boots for another week.

The Bankies were the better side for the first twenty minutes of the match, but just lacked the final ball at the vital moment. On several occasions the Bankies breached the home defence only to see a poor pass or cross end the move. John Cunningham probably made the biggest error in judgement when he tried a crazy shot from 25 yards when he not one but two free men that he could easily have passed to.

Rob Roy came out of their shell after this spell and missed an easy chance before taking the lead on 28 minutes. Maxwell turned Darroch and made for the bye line. He crossed low and hard and it was met by Slattery who swept the ball first time into the net. Rob Roy had managed to do on their first attempt what Clydebank had failed to do on numerous occasions prior to this. The Bankies could have drawn level before the break when Cunningham found himself in space to the left of the goal, but his curling shot just went side of the post.

The Bankies pulled themselves back into the game at the start of the second half and deservedly got on level terms just before the hour. Great work from Cammy McClair who had one of his best games for the club saw him send in a pin point cross the was met beautifully by Jordan Shelvey. His header looped over the keeper’s head went in just below the bar. It was a terrific header and Shelvey’s 15th goal of the season.

Things were to get even better just four minutes later when John Cunningham scored one of the goals of the season. He picked up the ball just inside the Rabs half of the pitch and made for goal. There was no stopping him as three defenders attempted to stop him, but with a hint or perseverance and a dash of determination he forced his way through and scooped the ball past McKinven for a fine goal.

The lead didn’t last long as Kirkintilloch equalised just five minutes later. The giant defender Boyle had been causing all sorts of problems from set pieces, and it was no surprise that it was from a free kick that the goal came from. A cross into the box was met by Boyle and the ball floated across the six yard area. Dooley couldn’t get any power in his attempted headed clearance, and it fell nicely for Slattery who fairly smashed the ball into the net.

Both sides could have sneaked a winner, but a draw was a fair result in the end. The Bankies now lead Arthurlie by seven points in the league with only three games to go. The Bankies have a huge goal difference advantage so Arthurlie will need to realistically win all three of their matches to overhaul the Bankies, so although not mathematically impossible, we should be safe. The end of the season can’t come quick enough now. McAnespie somehow managed to get a very average team promoted last season, signed a lot of players that didn’t work out, then replaced most of them to try and rescue the season. In fairness, it looks like he has just about done it, and won a cup along the way. Hopefully, this season has opened his eyes to the type of player that is needed to compete at this level, as too many of his early signings just weren’t up to it. If he can bring in one or two players who can have more of an influence on the side the we can definitely make strides in the league next season.

Match report written by Stuart McBay