Queen's Park 2
Clydebank 2
League (Division 1)

Match Report

Another day, another 2-2 draw. Clydebank shared the points for the third time in four matches, but, surprise surprise, they could so easily have had a win.

Against Clyde and Airdrie, Bankies went behind twice before fighting back to tie the games, but this time they were 1-0 and 2-1 ahead, and handed Queen's two simple equalisers.

All four goals came in a crazy eight-minute spell and enlivened an afternoon of Arctic temperatures and treacherous underfoot conditions.

For much of the game it looked as if neither side was capable of scoring, and, added to the unreal atmosphere of a Hampden populated by almost as many bulldozers as fans, this made it a pretty miserable game.

But a moment of inspiration from Tommy Coyne changed all that. The tall striker seemed hemmed in on the stand-side touchline, but a swivel of the hips and he was free and sending a superb through ball to Bobby Williamson. Williamson let the ball drop over his shoulder before steadying himself and shooting past keeper Graeme Storrie.

The Bankies support had barely stopped stamping their feet in approval when the home side drew level through Jimmy Quinn.

Coyne, however, was the hero again just a couple of minutes later when he was on the spot to thump a shot home after Williamson dummied a Gerry Ronald cross. Clydebank were in in front again, but straight from the kick-off their hopes of another away win were dashed.

Queens pushed forward, and after a hectic scramble in the six-yard box, Lex Grant was totally unmarked as he stroked the ball past debutant Colin Brodie.

It was hard not to feel sorry for the youngster as he picked the ball out of the net. At both goals he had been given precious little cover by the more experienced men in front of him.

It's easy, I suppose, to have a go when you've watched the game from the best seat in the house. Everyone knows it's hard for players, and even more so on a flint-hard surface like Saturday's.

But they are professionals and when they make the same elementary mistakes week in, week out, there is something far wrong.

Both Queen's Park goals on Saturday were caused by a forward being allowed to get to the by-line without a single solid challenge against them.

Fair enough, on the first occasion Brodie should probably have stopped the cut-back, but the point is, the left side of Clydebank's defence was unable to stop Queens getting in behind them in the first place. It was the same story with the second goal they lost.

It would not be right to make anyone a scapegoat, but the fans are pointing fingers and naming names.

They have seen their team slip from the top of the league to relative obscurity in amongst teams such as Alloa and Raith Rovers.

A small band of fans they may be, but they are loyal and deserve something in return. They want to Sammy Henderson changes and soon.

I believe Clydebank are at present on the lookout for a defender who will plug the gaping holes which have started to appear over the past few weeks, and that they have a man in mind.

There's little doubt that it would be a wise move to dip into the club funds and bring in a new face.

Just three points out of a possible 10 since Bankies last won a game, at Hamilton in November, is not good enough. What is more serious, however, is the way the points have been lost, with silly goals gifted to the opposition commonplace.

For the most part, the youngsters in the side-like young Brodie on Saturday can hold their heads up.

It's the more senior members of the side who seem to be guaranteed a regular place, win, lose or draw, who need a shake.

Or fifth place in the table may seem a long way cup in a few weeks' time.