East Stirlingshire 1
Clydebank 5
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Clydebank emphatically ended their recent slump on Saturday with a resounding 5–1 victory over East Stirlingshire at Firs Park, turning in one of their most clinical performances of the season. While the scoreline suggests a one-sided affair, Shire had their chances – but where the home side fluffed their lines, Bankies made no mistake.

The match had been keenly anticipated, particularly by a Shire side desperate for the win, but they were undone by their own poor finishing and the ruthless form of Clydebank’s front men – most notably Tony Moy, who netted a stunning hat-trick.

The Bankies struck first in the 14th minute through McCallum, who cut in from the wing and deceived the goalkeeper with a swerving 22-yard lob that found the net. Twenty minutes later, Moy grabbed his first of the afternoon with a sharply angled shot that snuck in off the post, punishing a static home defence.

Despite being second best for much of the half, Shire pulled one back on the stroke of half-time through Mitchell, briefly raising hopes of a comeback. But those hopes were dashed immediately after the restart when Moy fired home his second and Clydebank’s third, killing the game as a contest.

Moy completed his hat-trick on 66 minutes, and shortly after, Russell capped off a brilliant performance by rifling home a 25-yard effort – though Shire’s keeper Davie might feel he should have done better.

The scoreline could have been closer had East Stirlingshire taken any number of gilt-edged chances. Hamill, Jones, and Reynolds all squandered clear opportunities, particularly the latter who missed two sitters while playing through the middle.

In contrast, Clydebank’s attack – with McCallum, Moy, Russell and McGhee combining fluently down the left – was sharp, direct, and devastating. Pat Waters toiled to spark the home side’s forward line into life, but it was all in vain.

Shire’s afternoon worsened when Jim Gillespie had to be stretchered off with a leg injury in the 65th minute and was replaced by Carlyle, but the change did little to stem the tide.

This was a much-needed return to form for the Bankies, and a timely reminder of what they’re capable of when everything clicks.

Match report written by Stuart McBay