Rangers 'B' 1
Clydebank 5
League (Combined Reserve League - 1st Series)

Match Report

Clydebank rounded off the Autumn Series of the Combined Reserve League in emphatic fashion, sweeping aside Rangers Reserves 5–1 at Kilbowie Park to finish level on points with East Fife Reserves — and claim the title on goal average.

Although officially a Rangers home fixture, the match was played in Clydebank, perhaps reflecting the differing priorities of the two clubs. While the Ibrox side were likely focused on player development, the match meant everything to the Bankies, who needed a win to overtake East Fife and lift the title.

In front of a strong Christmas Day crowd of around 1,000, Clydebank took a while to settle on a heavy, boggy pitch. Early exchanges were even, and they spurned a golden chance to take the lead in the 21st minute when Joe Rankin blazed a penalty well over the bar after Tom Connelly had been brought down in the box.

But they made amends in style on 32 minutes, when right winger McLeish stunned the crowd with a sensational long-range strike from over 40 yards. His high, arcing effort completely deceived Rangers keeper Eadie and crashed into the net — a goal worthy of winning any match.

Clydebank began to take control, with McLeish and McGhee causing constant problems out wide and the inside trio of Moy, Connelly and Rankin working tirelessly through the middle. Despite their dominance, it remained 1–0 at the break.

The second half saw the Bankies completely assert themselves. An early warning shot came when Rankin headed against the bar from a free kick, but the pressure eventually told. In the 67th minute, a loose ball in the Rangers area was seized upon by Connelly, who rifled home a fine finish to double the lead.

That opened the floodgates. Connelly grabbed his second with a confident 15-yard strike, before Moy converted a penalty in the 79th minute to make it 4–0. Rangers pulled one back almost immediately through right winger Paul, but it was a mere consolation.

With five minutes to go, Jenkins capped off a memorable afternoon, slipping a low shot past the despairing Eadie to complete the scoring.

It was a fitting way to close the Bankies’ first foray into the Combined Reserve League, and the Steedman brothers could reflect with pride on a campaign that saw their young side — whose average age was under 20 — finish top of the table at the first time of asking.

The Second Series of the league would resume in the New Year, with Clydebank now setting their sights even higher.

Match report written by Stuart McBay