Match Report
For the third time in a row this season, the Bankies were drawn away to East of Scotland League Second Division opposition in the South Challenge Cup. In the first two rounds we fell behind to Stoneyburn and Livingston United before comfortably, if not always convincingly, defeating our lower-league opponents.
Today was a completely different story as the Bankies overran Hawick Royal Albert, scoring seven times for the loss of one in a very open game at Albert Park. A lot of credit must be given to Hawick, who contributed to an entertaining match and, on another day, could have added another goal or two themselves, particularly at the start of the second half when they had a real go.
For the Bankies, it was a chance to rotate the squad, with only four of the starting eleven from last week’s Scottish Cup win at Linlithgow beginning today’s game. It was also an opportunity to give Nicky Low a run-out after missing the last four matches with an arm injury.
Despite facing a stiff breeze, the Bankies got off to an ideal start, scoring after just five minutes. A pacy run and cross by Nicky Low down the right-hand channel was poorly cleared to the edge of the box by a defender. Blair Rossiter steadied himself and shot low, and with the aid of a deflection off the heel of Munro, the ball found its way into the corner.
Most observers would already have expected Clydebank to go on and win the tie from there, but Hawick had other ideas. Clark brought out a fine save from Stott after twenty minutes, and moments later Dyke stabbed the ball over the bar from just six yards out.
This spurred the Bankies into action, and Kieran Dolan was unlucky to see his strike cannon off the post after Mulcahy had done well to keep the ball in play. Just a minute later, the lead was doubled. Rossiter picked up the ball on the left from a quick Samson throw-in, hit the bye-line and squared for Josh Jack. The midfielder opened up on his right foot and curled the ball home from twelve yards.
It was a little harsh on the home side, who up to that point had kept the Bankies at bay and shown in flashes that they could pose some questions of their own.
The last ten minutes or so of the half saw Clydebank find their stride, and a few chances came and went, with Low sending a chip just wide before Samson and Jack failed to convert from good positions.
It took a route-one pass from Matt Niven to open up the Hawick defence for the third time with practically the last kick of the half. He found Kieran Dolan, who controlled the ball on the run before steering it into the net.
That should really have been that, but the Albert made two half-time changes and decided that if they were going to go down, they were going to go down fighting. Within two minutes of the restart they had reduced the arrears, with Philp prodding home after Stott blocked the initial effort from Elliot.
Unfortunately for Hawick, they committed the cardinal sin of conceding almost immediately. Another poor clearance from the home defence was picked up by Blair Rossiter, and he drilled the ball past Archibald to restore the three-goal advantage.
The attacking intent from Hawick almost certainly contributed to the heavy scoreline in the end, as they were leaving a lot of space in behind during transitions. However, they were unlucky at times not to get at least one more goal. The big number ten, Harry Fowler, was probably Hawick’s best attacker and was unfortunate when he wriggled free in the box only to flash the ball past the post. Just before the Bankies’ fifth, he also smacked the crossbar from twenty yards.
That is just the way it goes when you are the underdog. The Bankies have been there themselves on many occasions. One minute you hit the bar at one end, and while you are ruing your luck, the opposition run down the other end and score.
True to form, that is exactly what happened as Callaghan found Dolan free on the right during a quick break. This was the best finish of the match as he took the ball onto his left foot and curled it over the head of the advancing keeper.
Dolan completed his hat-trick five minutes later with a similar finish from close range, despatching the ball into the net after good work by Keir Samson.
The introduction of Cairns and Docherty just before the fifth goal had settled the Bankies midfield down, and we looked much more composed in the final quarter of the game. If there was one criticism, it would be the occasional slackness on the ball and maybe one or two occasions when players opted to dribble when a pass was available. However, in games like this it can be excused.
The scoring was wrapped up in the 82nd minute when Ciaran Mulcahy finished off a fine team move involving Jack, Leslie and Cairns, who supplied the final pass.
Overall, it was a fine professional performance. With such a heavy schedule, we have required each and every member of the squad to play their part. The players have been on an exceptional run of form and spirits are high going into another tough encounter in midweek against old county rivals Dumbarton in the KDM Evolution Trophy.
The atmosphere should be electric under the lights at Holm Park and, with both teams having plenty to play for, it should be an intense game.
Match report written by Stuart McBay
