Match Report
Clydebank had barely been out of the newspapers for the past year or so following the ES Clydebank merger and the subsequent decoupling through the courts. There was an initial flurry of publicity when Clydebank emerged as a senior club in their own right, but once the season was underway attention quickly turned elsewhere, and the Bankies' name virtually disappeared from the nationals. It was up to the local paper to keep fans up to date which for the most part did a good job. In comparison to other local newspapers, however, it was often lacking. Long periods of games not being reported on were common place, and it was really when the Bankies began to move up the leagues in the mid 1970's that the Clydebank Press could be relied upon week in week out.
This was Clydebank's first home game as a senior club and the Clydebank Press reported the crowd as either 400 or 1000 in separate articles. We've gone with 400 as being more the likely number. It was a surprisingly good crowd considering Kilbowie Park had hosted Hibernian, Sunderland and Ipswich Town in the previous twelve months. The fans had come through a lot in that period from Juniors, to challenging for the Second Division title, to finding themselves in a second rate reserve league. The fans voices were never recorded and I wonder if many would have preferred a return to the Juniors at this stage, as the future must have seemed fairly uncertain.
Jordanhill were brushed away fairly easily in this match, and Clydebank needed tougher opposition. In the Second Division of the Scottish League there was one idle team without a game every Saturday due to the league having an odd number of clubs, and arrangements were being made to have these teams visit Kilbowie where possible. The number six for the Bankies was a Junior trialist who we've never been able to name.
Clydebank recorded their first victory as a senior club with a comfortable 4-1 win over Jordanhill at Kilbowie.
Making their first home appearance of the season, the Bankies turned in an impressive display and were seldom troubled by opponents who spent much of the afternoon on the defensive. Having been beaten narrowly by East Fife Reserves in their opening fixture, Clydebank showed plenty of attacking intent and looked the stronger side from the outset.
The home defence, with McGill prominent at centre-half, dealt confidently with the occasional Jordanhill attack. Former St Mirren players Moy and Brown were also part of a back line that was rarely stretched, although the visitors did manage to claim a consolation goal late in the match.
For long periods the main obstacle to a heavier Clydebank victory was Jordanhill goalkeeper Will. The visiting keeper produced a string of saves, particularly during the opening half-hour, and repeatedly denied the Bankies as they pressed for the breakthrough.
Nothing seemed capable of beating him until Andy O'Brien produced a decisive burst just before the interval. The winger scored twice in the space of two minutes, finding the net in the 36th and 37th minutes to give Clydebank a deserved 2-0 lead at half-time.
The visitors reduced the deficit in the second half when an effort was diverted into the net off left-back Wark for an own goal. Any hopes Jordanhill had of mounting a recovery were short-lived, however, as Clydebank responded strongly.
A lively five-minute spell settled the outcome. McLeish restored the two-goal advantage in the 76th minute before Munro added a fourth four minutes later to put the result beyond doubt.
Even with the match effectively won, Clydebank continued to attack during the closing stages. Will remained busy and earned further applause for a number of saves as the Bankies looked to increase their advantage.
The final score gave Clydebank their first two points of the season and provided encouragement after the disappointment of the opening-day defeat. While sterner tests undoubtedly lay ahead, the Bankies could be satisfied with a convincing victory in their first home match of the campaign.
Match report written by Stuart McBay
