Match Report
A touch over two years ago, the Bankies played Caledonian Locos in a pre-season friendly, and it came to mind as it had a couple of things in common with tonight’s challenge match against Kilsyth Rangers.
Firstly, it clashed with France playing Spain in a major tournament semi-final. It was the Euros in 2024 and the World Cup tonight. The second thing was that both were goddamn awful games of football.
This was certainly one for the coaches. Thankfully, unlike the match two years ago, tonight’s game was played in lovely sunshine rather than pouring rain.
Jimmy Grant and Chris McGowan were back from holiday, and both started, which was good news. Unfortunately, we also had the sight of Aidan Callaghan hobbling about on crutches as he seems set to have an extended period on the sidelines after being injured at Broxburn.
The Bankies have had to contend with a horrendous injury list over the last couple of seasons, and we haven’t even started this one properly yet and we’re already a man down. Keir Samson also injured his fingers at the Blackburn tournament, but at least he can still play.
Kilsyth provided the opposition for tonight’s game and they were decent. Last season they finished 7th in the WoSFL Second Division, which was good enough to see them promoted into the First Division for this term due to reconstruction.
The match basically consisted of Clydebank having the ball 90% of the time and not doing very much with it. The missing ingredient seems to be intensity and perhaps a sprinkling of speed of play. We’re running around a lot, but with not enough purpose. Apart from the Musselburgh game, it has been a bit average.
Maybe I’m being harsh, and it will all come together once the competitive games start a week on Saturday.
We barely laid a glove on Kilsyth in the first half, with the closest moment coming just before half-time when Keir Samson closed down the keeper. As the ball spun in front of the goal, the striker did manage to get a boot to it, but Glaser recovered just in time.
The second half was much the same. In one respect, it is healthy that we are in complete control of the game, but a lack of wherewithal to break down a side two divisions below us is not so encouraging.
It was really the introduction of Nicky Low that made the difference. He showed that little bit of urgency and know-how to drive us up the field.
The opening goal came in the 71st minute, a fine shot from Rossiter, who scored his third goal in four friendly matches. He was much quieter tonight, but his finish into the top corner was classy. The second, just under ten minutes later, was from the penalty spot after Samson clearly had his shirt pulled.
Josh Jack, who is taking a little time to adjust to his new surroundings, put away the spot kick, and hopefully that will help his confidence.
No doubt, the coaching staff are picking up valuable insights into the team dynamics and are formulating their plans for the season. Unfortunately for the spectators, it wasn’t up to much.
Next up is our final pre-season match as West of Scotland First Division runaway winners Irvine Meadow visit Holm Park. Hopefully, we will be tested a little more and we can see the intensity that is going to be required going forward.
Match report written by Stuart McBay
