Clydebank 5
Broxburn Ath 0
Friendly

Match Report

When the pre-season friendly list appeared the name of Broxburn Athletic jumped out as the stand out tie. The West Lothian side had won their Conference in the East of Scotland League winning 22 out of 24 matches, and just missed out on promotion to the Lowland League after losing 3-2 to eventual winners of the Play-offs Bonnyrigg Rose. So, it was something of a surprise to see Clydebank breeze home very comfortably by five goals to nil this afternoon. The Bankies were excellent throughout and dominated the match from start to finish. The score could have been much more emphatic if the woodwork had not come to the visitors rescue on a couple of occasions.

The weather was fine as the Bankies took to the field in a much changed line up, as Kieran McAnespie gives all the players some game time. Conor Lynass the recent signing from Glenafton was the notable new starter.

To be fair to Broxburn they looked quite dangerous in the first 5-10 minutes or so as they probed the Bankies defence, but they couldn’t find a killer pass, with Miller having the only notable effort when he cut in from the left and drilled a low shot wide of the post.

The shaky start soon wore off as Clydebank made chance after chance. It started after 6 minutes when McClair, who showed more of the form that he did in the first half of last season, made two penetrating runs and shots that nearly brought the opener.

Every couple of minutes there seemed to be a shot on goal. With 12 minutes gone (AM) was unlucky to see a left footed thunderbolt cannon back off the crossbar. Darroch then headed a Lynass corner into the side netting. Black sent a 20 yard shot wide before, (KM) had a double effort that was blocked on both occasions.

It took until the half hour before the Broxburn defence was breeched. Lynass delivered a top quality corner kick at pace. I’m not sure what part of the body it deflected off of, but it didn’t matter as (AM) steered the ball high into the net.

Four minutes later and it was two. (KM) produced a perfect slide rule path into the path of Cammy McClair. Despite having the attention of two Broxburn defenders he side footed the ball past the static goalkeeper.

The Bankies made five changes at the break but it did not alter the pattern of play. Within six minutes the lead was increased. Lynass raced down the left wing, turning the full back inside out before delivering an inch perfect cross to Jordan Shelvey who tapped in from six yards.

It could have been four just after when Nicky Little beat the offside trap. He waited patiently before rolling the ball into the path of the in-rushing Lynass but he couldn’t control the shot as it sailed narrowly over the bar. The fourth goal was merely delayed by another two minutes, Lynass was the creator again on the left wing. This time picking out (KM) who fairly rattled the ball into the net.

The fifth goal arrived after 64 minutes when Connor had made a great stop on his left hand side. Shelvey reacted to the rebound as quick as flash and was sent tumbling to the ground by Purves. A certain penalty if ever there was one, but it didn’t need to be given as Nicky Little was on hand to roll the ball into the empty net. Locke was booked for protesting too much.

That was it for the goals, but the impressive (KM) could have added more near the end. Firstly he sent a rasping drive just over the bar, and then he was closer just moments later when he cracked a vicious effort off the crossbar.

This was a great result and performance for the Bankies. It might only be a friendly, but most would have thought that Broxburn would have provided a much sterner test than they did. As ever, it is always interesting to see how the team will set up as the season proper starts. A number of players are certainly staking their claim as competition seems fiercer than ever.

Match report written by Stuart McBay