Match Report
Clydebank continued their impressive record against Scottish League opposition with a 5-3 victory over Montrose in an entertaining challenge match at Kilbowie Park.
The visitors arrived with an experimental side, but despite difficult conditions underfoot both teams contributed to an open contest that produced eight goals and plenty of attacking football.
Montrose threatened first and almost took the lead when Elliott found himself with only Ronnie Wilson to beat. The Clydebank goalkeeper, however, produced an excellent save to keep the scores level.
The breakthrough came after 15 minutes when a high cross into the penalty area was met by Tom Connelly, who headed confidently past Jamieson to put the Bankies ahead.
Clydebank nearly doubled their advantage soon afterwards when Joe Rankin met another cross, but his header was directed straight at the Montrose goalkeeper.
The visitors drew level after 25 minutes. Kemp reacted quickest after a poor defensive clearance and drove the ball home to make it 1-1.
The equaliser sparked Clydebank into life and they took control of the match before the interval. Connelly restored the lead after 37 minutes, capitalising from close range following a tussle in the penalty area.
Almost immediately afterwards the Bankies were awarded a penalty when Tony Moy was fouled inside the box. Moy took responsibility himself and converted confidently to send Clydebank into the break with a 3-1 advantage.
The home side maintained their momentum after the restart and continued to create the better openings. Their fourth goal arrived when Moy's low effort appeared straightforward enough for the Montrose defence to deal with, only for the ball to take a decisive deflection and end up in the net.
At 4-1, Clydebank looked comfortable, but Montrose mounted a spirited response. Sim reduced the deficit in the 77th minute with a close-range finish before Kemp struck again three minutes later, converting at the second attempt after a rebound from the crossbar.
The visitors' revival briefly threatened to make for a tense finish, but Clydebank quickly restored their two-goal cushion. Five minutes from time Eddie Jenkins marked his return from injury in memorable fashion, embarking on a solo run before unleashing a superb 30-yard shot beyond Jamieson.
The goal settled the contest and ensured another notable victory for the Bankies against Second Division opposition. Having already defeated Berwick Rangers, Stenhousemuir and Albion Rovers in recent weeks, Clydebank once again demonstrated that they were more than capable of matching teams from a higher level.
The result maintained the encouraging form that had followed the club's Autumn Series success and strengthened the growing belief that the Bankies could soon compete at a higher level themselves.
Match report written by Stuart McBay
