Gala Fairydean 9
Clydebank 1
Scottish Qualifying Cup (2nd Round)

Match Report

Clydebank’s Scottish Qualifying Cup hopes were ruthlessly extinguished at Netherdale, where a rampant Gala Fairydean side tore through them in a remarkable 9–1 demolition. It was a humbling afternoon for the Bankies, who found themselves utterly overwhelmed by a Fairydean side in devastating form.

The Border club, widely regarded as the best in the region, lived up to their growing reputation by delivering what was described as possibly their finest ever performance. Led superbly by player-manager Kirk, Fairydean were fast, clinical, and relentless, with inside-right Cornwall running riot to claim a sensational hat-trick.

A large crowd—one of the biggest Netherdale had seen in years—witnessed the one-sided affair, including a sizeable travelling support from Clydebank. Early signs had suggested a more balanced contest, and indeed Clydebank held their own for much of the first half. Wingers McLeish and O'Brien combined well in the opening stages and forced some anxious moments for the home defence. But after falling behind in just the 7th minute to a Wyles strike, the Bankies began to falter.

Fairydean doubled their lead in the 39th minute when Wyles once again proved too quick for the Bankies defence, delivering a pinpoint cross for Cornwall to head home. Clydebank hit back almost immediately, with Bustard slipping a clever ball through for Hodgson to finish calmly and reduce the deficit to 2–1.

Just as Clydebank were regaining a foothold, disaster struck. Right on the stroke of half-time, a rash challenge by Holloran on Benvie gifted Fairydean a penalty. Kirk stepped up and converted confidently, restoring a two-goal cushion and delivering a psychological blow the Bankies wouldn’t recover from.

Within a minute of the restart, Fairydean had struck again. Benvie’s cross found Wyles, who prodded home his second. From there, it was a procession. Cuthbert added a stunning long-range strike in the 55th minute, then quickly followed with a second. Cornwall completed his hat-trick with a solo effort and a powerful header in the space of three minutes, and Peacock put the seal on the rout with a thunderous 25-yard drive in the 78th minute.

To their credit, Clydebank didn't fold entirely, and were denied a second goal only by the brilliance of Fairydean keeper Duncan, who produced superb late saves from McGill and Moy. Keeper Brown, meanwhile, emerged as Clydebank’s standout player, despite the heavy scoreline. Frequently left exposed, he made several fine stops, including a remarkable save from a point-blank Peacock header that deserved better surroundings.

For Clydebank, the scoreline will sting—but so too will the manner in which the team capitulated after the break. While Fairydean’s performance was undoubtedly first class, the Bankies’ defensive structure disintegrated under pressure, and there will be much to reflect on after this bruising encounter.

Match report written by Stuart McBay