Clydebank 1
Raith Rovers 1
League (Division 1)

Match Report

The past three visits to Kilbowie by Raith Rovers have, to say the least, been frustrating for the Clydebank faithful.

But while the Kirkcaldy side's smash-and-grab tactics have sent the fans heading for the exits early and Sammy Henderson reaching for the Valium, you won't hear their boss, Gordon Wallace, complaining.

Since the middle of last season he's seen his side take four points out of six from Kilbowie, each one of them gained through an unshakeable belief in the philosophy of win first, entertainment second.

Despite being outplayed for the entire match on Saturday, they almost did just that. For after going behind to a splendid Martin Hughes goal, the Fifers snatched a breakaway equaliser on the hour and then had several chances to tie up both points.

Bankies were in a strange position throughout the second half of what was a tedious start to the league season.

On top all the way and playing with their usual style, they always had to be very careful they didn't give away a fatal second goal.

Although Rovers' depressing tactics took most of the excitement out of the match, much of the blame for the nail-biting round the ground must lie on the shoulders of Bankies themselves.

For once again they missed out where it mattered most-in front of goal. The chances were there, the football was there, the players were there. The finishing wasn't.

Only the inventive Bobby Williamson looked likely to pose keeper Tommy Walker real problems, with his darting running and shooting forcing the Rovers man to make several good saves.

Bankies did manage to get the ball in the net a second time, immediately after Colin More had scored for Raith, but Gerry Ronald's tap-in was chalked off for offside.

A Gary Murray header looped over Walker and came back off the crossbar to Gerry McCabe, whose pass was turned in by Ronald. The linesman, however, had already put his flag up for offside.

After that it was one-way traffic, but there was always the feeling - and how many times have we had it at Kilbowie that Clydebank were not going to score.

Mark Treanor fired in an Ibrox type pile driver which walker turned away, Williamson had a long run and shot saved, and Murray headed over.

Near the end Jim Given had possibly the best chance of all. Taking a through ball, he held off a defender before walking round Rovers' keeper.

But having dragged the ball wide, his angled shot was cleared off the line for a corner. With that miss went the last real chance of victory.

Still, at least that gets Raith Rovers at Kilbowie over for another year and Bankies can look forward (?) to a couple of visits to Stark's Park, where last season they turned in one of their best away performances. That's on the credit side. What is a worry for the side is that they have still to record a competitive win at home.

Best on Saturday were Martin Hughes, who showed tremendous skill and work-rate in midfield, Bobby Williamson and the improving Mark Treanor.