Clydebank 1
Airdrie Res 2
League (Combined Reserve League - 1st Series)

Match Report

Clydebank were edged out 2–1 by Airdrie Reserves in a spirited contest at New Kilbowie, in what was widely seen as their first real test of the Combined Reserve League campaign. Airdrie, unbeaten to that point and featuring several players with first-team experience, showed their quality in a strong first-half performance that ultimately proved decisive.

A crowd of around 1,000 turned out again to watch the Bankies in action—this time sporting their alternative red kit with white sash, due to a colour clash with the visitors. They were treated to a fiercely competitive match which ended on a sour note, with both sides reduced to ten men in the closing minutes after a bad foul on Clydebank’s Rankin saw Airdrie’s centre-half Black ordered off. Rankin had to be helped from the field with a leg injury.

In the early stages, both teams enjoyed attacking moments, with the O’Brien brothers—Andy and Jimmy—looking particularly lively down the left for Clydebank. But the visitors struck first after 25 minutes when Rodger was brought down in the box. The striker dusted himself off and converted the penalty to give Airdrie the lead.

From there, Airdrie pushed forward with increasing intent, and although Bankies goalkeeper Brown made several smart saves, he was finally beaten again just before the break. Marshall rose to meet a pinpoint cross from Black and headed home to double the advantage.

After a somewhat disappointing first-half showing, Clydebank returned with renewed purpose. They abandoned the short, inaccurate passing that had plagued their earlier play and instead pressed Airdrie back with a more direct and determined approach.

Their breakthrough came after 65 minutes when the inside left Horn slotted home from close range, leaving McLaughlin in the Airdrie goal with no chance. The goal sparked a prolonged spell of pressure from the Bankies, who came agonisingly close to levelling when Horn’s header from a McLeish corner was dramatically cleared off the line.

Despite their late dominance, Clydebank couldn’t find the equaliser their second-half efforts arguably deserved.

Looking ahead, the Bankies face Queens Park Strollers at Hampden next weekend. Trialists are expected to feature during the week, including the much-talked-about Pat McMahon of Yoker and Dixie Dean—a centre forward from Neilston who shares a famous name with the legendary Everton striker.

Match report written by Stuart McBay