Clydebank 0
Largs Thistle 3
League (WoSFL Premier)

Match Report

Well, I haven’t had to write one of these for a while. Up until today we had not lost a single league game, and it is fourteen matches since we last tasted defeat and that was in the Scottish Cup against Premier League Hibernian by three goals to nil. After clinching the league title at Benburb last week, there was a collective system malfunction this afternoon as we went down by the same scoreline to Largs Thistle, and it dampened the celebratory mood in the ground somewhat.

So, what do we do here? Do we just put it down to some kind of reaction or release from winning the league, give the players the benefit of the doubt, and move on. You do see this kind of thing happen quite often when clubs win a league title the following games are subsequently lost as the season heads towards its conclusion.

Or is there some criticism warranted? There was an opportunity to complete the league season undefeated, not to mention a play-off against the East of Scotland League champions on the horizon. Right from the start of the game there was no intensity, and we looked to be almost in pre-season mode. We simply couldn’t rouse ourselves throughout the game and Largs were thoroughly deserved winners.

Strangely though, as good a team as Largs are, they didn’t have to be anything special today. It almost seemed that they won every second ball on offer, and that was more down to a lack of press and desire from the Clydebank players. Arms were being flung up in frustration and that is something we haven’t seen too much of this season. Even on the ball we were too pedestrian and lacklustre doesn’t begin to describe it.

I can’t imagine that Gordon Moffat will be too enamoured by what he seen today, and he should be demanding an immediate response against Auchinleck Talbot next week. He, and the players have set extremely high standards this season, but this was well short of those expectations. We can’t afford to lose focus in the last four league games as the massive play-off games for promotion to the Lowland League quickly follow.

Largs graciously applauded the new league champions onto the pitch, and a minute’s silence was observed for ex-Trust Board director Graeme MacDougall. Unfortunately, we received some unwelcome news before the game even started with keeper Andy Leishman turning his ankle in the warm-up. This meant Max Clarke, who was previously in the Bankies U-20s squad was called up for a hasty debut. Hopefully, Leishman is not about to embark on a spell on the sidelines as his position has been crucial in the club’s success this season.

The first half offered little from both sides, though Largs were always the better side. They controlled possession and the Bankies were rarely seen as an attacking force. We have had games where we have had started slowly and grown into it as time wore on. Not so today, however.

A Lee Gallacher shot from the edge of the box was about the only notable shot in the opening 45 from the Bankies, and Largs had fared little better, though a nice bit of control and quick thinking from Sewell gave Clarke something to think about. Largs were inching closer gradually as the break approached and disaster struck in stoppage time.

Largs moved the ball from left to right across the pitch, and the Bankies defence were sucked in creating an overload on the right-hand side. The ball was knocked over the head of McHugh, and Ramsay had time to steady himself and pick his spot in the bottom corner.

The Bankies looked to impose themselves on proceedings at the start of the second half, but this just seemed to present Largs with more opportunities on the break. Our passing was breaking down too easily and the Thistle defence coped with any long balls with a minimum of fuss.

Twice, early on, Largs could have extended their lead when Deas side-footed wide from a good position and Sewell blasted over after getting on the ‘wrong’ side of David Syme. The Bankies had a better moment in reply when Nicky Low sent a dipping volley wide of the post.

It was just before the hour when Largs went two up. They were having too much joy on the turnarounds, particularly down the right wing. It was from this area that a cross was delivered to the back post, with Bankies defence nowhere to be seen, Devine cracked home a fantastic first-time volley giving Clarke no chance.

Gordon Moffat made changes, sacrificing a defender, but Largs made sure they kept an extra forward in the attacking area. This meant on breakaways they had us in all sorts of bother whenever the ball was given away, which it frequently was.

To be honest, Largs could have scored more goals but had to settle for one more in the last minute of regulation time. It was self-inflicted, as we gave the ball away deep in our own half from a throw-in. With the defence caught out of position, the ball was crossed from the right again, and Stacey was the beneficiary as he rattled home via the post.

As bad as it was, this result may have been a timely reminder of how many good teams there are in this league and what can happen if you let your standards slip. After today’s results it is almost certainly going to be Musselburgh Athletic who are one of our opponents in the Lowland League play-offs. We must maintain our levels to make sure that we are in the best possible position to give ourselves the chance to progress.

I can’t in good conscience give anyone a man of the match award as not one player earned pass marks today. The match sponsors must have just picked a name out a hat as any name read out would have been met with quizzical looks from the terraces.

We can’t have a tougher game than Auchinleck Talbot at Beechwood Park to correct the wrongs of today. Another such performance next Saturday will be dealt with severely by Talbot, so we need to reboot the system to clear the malfunction and get back to the side we have been virtually all season.

Match report written by Stuart McBay