Match Report
Clydebank made a flying start against Partick Thistle Reserves at Kilbowie but were ultimately left to reflect on a frustrating 4-2 defeat after surrendering an early two-goal advantage.
The Bankies could hardly have wished for a better opening. Playing on a muddy surface, they tore into the visitors from the first whistle and were rewarded with two goals in the opening six minutes.
Jimmy Hodgson, deputising for the injured Tom Connelly at centre-forward, opened the scoring after five minutes with a close-range finish that gave McLaughlin no chance.
Only a minute later Clydebank struck again. Hodgson was again heavily involved, carving open the Thistle defence before providing the opportunity for Tommy McGhee to head home and double the lead.
The visitors struggled to recover from the early setback, although Conway twice came close to reducing the deficit when his efforts struck the crossbar.
Partick gradually worked their way back into the match and pulled a goal back after 22 minutes. Brownlee reacted quickest to a loose ball in front of goal and finished from close range.
The same player struck again on the stroke of half-time, once more taking advantage of a loose ball in the Clydebank penalty area to level the scores at 2-2.
The equaliser transformed the complexion of the game. Thistle emerged for the second half on top and spent long periods pressing the Clydebank defence. Ronnie Wilson was called into action repeatedly and produced a series of fine saves to keep the scores level.
The visitors squandered several good opportunities during this spell, while Clydebank struggled to regain the attacking fluency that had brought them such early success.
The Bankies thought they had restored their lead after 64 minutes when Hodgson found the net, but the celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.
As the match entered its closing stages, it appeared that a draw might be the outcome. Instead, Partick struck twice in the final ten minutes to complete the turnaround.
First Flannigan worked his way through the defence and finished from close range before Kilpatrick added a fourth in similar fashion, beating several defenders before finding the net.
Having led by two goals inside six minutes, Clydebank were left empty-handed, while Partick Thistle Reserves deserved credit for recovering from a dreadful start to claim victory.
Match report written by Stuart McBay
