Clydebank 4
Arthurlie 0
League (WoSFL Premier)

Match Report

Another devastating attacking performance from the Bankies saw them score four goals without reply, and for the second match in a row the contest was over by half time. Clydebank’s record against Arthurlie at home has been poor with only one prwin in the previous seven meetings, but this time the Barrhead side had no answer to the questions they were being asked.

Arthurlie were their own worst enemy in many respects. It’s all very well trying to build from the back and looking to play a passing game on the artificial surface, but managers at this level should think long and hard before asking their players (of limited ability) at this level to try and pass their way out from their own six yard box.

Sure, sometimes they made nice progress but all too often they would lose the ball in their own half, or would be forced to go long in a panic, as the Bankies were able to push right up on them and force them into mistakes.

This is a different Clydebank side from earlier in the season. The players are looking much hungrier, and the confidence in the side is plain to see. They hunted in packs out of possession, and the attacking thrust on the ball has been much more dynamic. Alan Kelly has definitely added some sparkle, and for the second game in a row Larry McMahon looked the part.

Like the Troon game on Saturday, Arthurlie had no cutting edge, and the interesting moments they had were generally long range shots, or decent crosses with no one around to take advantage.

The Bankies in contrast always looked dangerous in attack, and once again there was a spell in the game where it looked like every forward move was going to result in a goal.

It took 21 minutes for the first goal to arrive, but the Bankies should already have been ahead particularly from a clear shot on goal by Lee Gallacher from 10 yards with which he clipped the top of the bar.

The opener came from a typical Clydebank corner as Jamie Darroch, who was unmarked at the back post, poorly directed a free header in the general direction of the goal. The ball was cleared straight back to him, and this time he made no mistake as he buried it through a ruck of players on the line.

The second epitomised the attacking confidence in the players. A cute pass down the wing to McMahon from Darroch, saw the flame haired midfielder deftly life the ball over the defender and slide the ball across the box for Higgins. Showing great awareness Higgins, cutely helped the ball on with his heel for the unmarked Kelly who drilled the ball into the net.

The third came from the penalty spot just after the half hour when Nicky Little fed the ball to Kelly who was just about to pull the trigger when he was brought down from behind. Little put the ball away for his fifth spot kick success of the season.

Just before the interval Little had the opportunity to make that six when he was brought down in the box. Uncharacteristically, he tried to hit the ball high into the goal, but he made a bit of a mess of it by sending the ball way over the crossbar.

All was forgiven, just eight minutes into the second period when he finished off a move constructed by himself and Lee Gallacher as he slid the ball home from a pull back from the winger.

After that, the match kind of fizzled out. Arthurlie plugged away with little success, and the Bankies were much less inclined to go charging forward. The last half hour didn’t offer very much at all, and the bitterly cold temperatures seemed to bite just that little bit harder.

There was some entertainment towards the end when young Coby O’Brien gave away a penalty on his first team debut. Dale Simeon was denied a consolation as Donnelly dived to his right to save. The number seven then ballooned the rebound over the bar from only a few yards out.

However, this embarrassment was about to be given a reprieve as the linesman informed the ref that Donnelly had moved from his line. Simeon had other ideas though as he blasted his second attempt off the underside of the bar, and man of the match Jamie Darroch cleared the danger.

So, the Bankies are a goal scoring machine at the moment and the club have moved up to fourth in the table. As a fan you can’t ask for much more. Good football for the most part, a lot of goals and six wins on the trot. Keep it up!

No game on Saturday due to proposed opponents Darvel playing in the Scottish Cup against Aberdeen. The next game will be against relegation threatened Cambuslang Rangers a week on Saturday at Holm Park, and another opportunity to keep climbing the league table.

Match report written by Stuart McBay