Clydebank 1
Beith Juniors 2
League (West Region Premiership)

Match Report

Thankfully, the curtain has come down on Clydebank’s season after yet another defeat. Beith were the victors over the Bankies for the second time in five days, this time by the odd goal in three in a much tighter match. The sorry tale for the Bankies shows that since defeating Kilwinning Rangers in January only 8 points have been gained out of a possible 33. The league table accurately reflects Clydebank’s performance over the term where results against the top six have been pretty poor and results against the bottom clubs have been generally good.

Comparing results from last season, it appears that decent progress has been made, but if you take into account there are four extra clubs in the league then things maybe aren’t as rosy as you would believe. Last season Clydebank ended the season with 24 points from 22 matches and finished third bottom. The Bankies earned 19 points from the bottom 4 clubs this season. If you take those points away the Bankies would have ended up with the exact same points tally of 24. We would still have finished ahead of Troon and Kilbirnie and would have avoided relegation, so it shows that the expanded league has worked in Clydebank’s favour. It would be fair to point out that the club have played away from home all season and that must have at least some bearing on the matter.

As for tonight’s match, the last at Lochburn Park, the Bankies made one change with Chris Black starting in place of Cammy McClair who was late due to car trouble. This meant a little bit of a personnel shuffle with Duncanson in the wide right midfield position.

The first half was fairly even with few chances created. Liam Rowan had the Bankies best effort when he wasn’t far away with a speculative 30 yard dipping volley that sailed past the post. At the other end, Milliken came closest for Beith when he received the ball at his feet around eight yards from goal. He turned smartly and fired in a low shot to Waters right hand side, however the Bankies stopper was alert and made a fine save at his post.

Any thoughts of this match petering out to a boring end of season 0-0 draw were blown away just three minutes into the second half when Beith took the lead with a fine effort. Reminiscent of Rowan’s first half volley, Darren Christie struck a tremendous shot high into the net. It has to be said that Waters positioning did not look great as the ball went past him in the centre of the goal.

Clydebank were level just five minutes later when a crossball from the right hand side was clearly handled by Kevin Green. Bankies top scorer Nicky Little expertly put the spot kick away for his 28th goal of the season.

Beith were back in front after 63 minutes when Ramsay played a lovely through ball from the left hand wing. The ball went beyond Darroch into the path of Christie. Marc Waters raced from his goal line only to hesitate at the last minute. This made it an easy decision for Christie with the Bankies keeper in no mans land, as he calmly lifted the ball over Waters head for his second goal of the match.

The Bankies could have got at least a draw as they spurned two very good clear cut chances. Sean Higgins was first up as he did superbly well to win the ball in the penalty box from Sheridan and Docherty. He showed no little skill to turn the two defenders inside out before unluckily striking the underside of the bar with his shot.

After that McClair was sent on a chase down the left hand side. The Bankies winger out-paced Sheridan before cutting inside the box onto his right foot. It looked a goal all the way but Grindlay was out his goal sharply to block the shot.

Overall, Clydebank’s season has been a bit of a mixed bag. The first half was good, and the second half not so much. The Scottish Cup exit against Hurlford left the Bankies with nine ‘meaningless’ league matches. Even so, the poor form in this period should not be blamed on that and results should have been better. Clydebank return to the town for next season to play at the refurbished Holm Park. Hopefully this will be the catalyst for improved fortunes.

Match report written by Stuart McBay