Clydebank 2
East Fife 3
League (Division 2)

Match Report

One visitor missing recently from Bayview has been Lady Luck. But she decided to travel to Kilbowie Park with the Methil side on Wednesday, and almost on her own brought back two very welcome points.

When it comes to a haul the great train robbers had nothing on the East Fife men. for this was a game they didn't deserve to win.

To illustrate the point to those who were at Bayview recently to see the first meeting of these two teams, it is no exaggeration to say that on Wednesday Bankies were every bit as much on top as the Fifers had been the week before.

And for those who weren't at the game, just let's say Clydebank fans left convinced that no score under double figures would have done credit to their team's superiority.

Most of the Fifer's troubles stemmed from the defence, where they were beaten time and time again to the ball by the eager- beaver Clydebank men. out to take their first league points of the season.

And for seventy-five minutes. this win looked right on the cards, for with a meagre quarter of an hour to go. the homesters. were one goal ahead, and looked as if they might add more.

But it was here that the good lady stepped in, and turned the game. George Christie hit a full blooded shot for goal, and with Willie Rutherford wondering what was happening the ball hit his knees. Instead of being deflected in any one of half-a- dozen directions. the ball flew into the net-as much to the amazement of Rutherford as the Clydebank defence.

And with only five minutes left it was Rutherford again who scored the winner. Kilbowie Park defenders must be sick of the sight of Willie. For it will be remembered that in the game at Bayview last week he scored the third goal to make the points sure for the Fifers. Here he had a hand in all three goals, for he also scored the first two minutes after the re-start to bring the East Fife side back into the game.

Helping take the points away from the west was Billy McGann. He was undoubtedly the star of the Fife side. and if it hadn't been for him. even East Fife's lady friend wouldn't have been able to save them.

His solitary lapse was a minor one, but it cost a goal when Clydebank took the lead in the first half. but with the pressure always on him, it wasn't surprising he made one mistake.

Brodie and Smith played effectively as usual. but it was at half-back that the East Fife men fell down. Both Walker and Gilchrist were beaten too often to the ball, and it might have proved very costly against a sharp attack Henry McLeish played a whole-hearted game, and for this deserves pass-marks.

Up front Christie was the newcomer to the attack, to the exclusion of Jackie Thoms, who was relegated to substitute, but his addition didn't really make an awful lot of difference to the front line.

Up-and-at-em George did manage to score, however. and paid his way.

General Johnny Lawlor took a bad ankle knock in the first half. and it was strapped up for the second half. He still did a good deal of work though, but after the game his ankle swelled, and he looked very doubtful for Saturday's game against Dumbarton.

Rutherford, thanks to his two goals, and his 'in-off' gets top marks in the front line, but both the wingers were not far behind, with Miller really coming into his own in the last quarter, when East Fife began at last to play some cohesive soccer.

All criticism aside, however, there were two things which the Fifers brought back from the west-the points.

No matter how badly they played, they still managed to take the points, and that is surely the most important feature. With the win they hoisted themselves to a comfortable fourth position in the league, only one point behind leaders Raith.

Bankies started off as if they meant to sweep the Fifers right back to Fife. and for practically the first half, on a heavy pitch. they pinned the Fifers down. Indeed the pitch had been flooded earlier in the day, but while it was heavy at night, it was perfectly playable.

Keeper McGann was the Methil hero, and saved his side on numerous occasions, but after thirty-four minutes he lost the first goal when Russell collected a cross and left-footed the ball home. Five minutes later it should have been two, when Moy missed a penalty. And the Methil side were very fortunate indeed to go in at half-time only a goal down. On pressure might have been four or five.

Manager Bonthrone must have given his team a pep talk at half- time, for they came out much improved, at least for a short period. And only two minutes after the re-start they equalised when Willie Rutherford was on the spot to complete a neat Christie-Kinsella move.

But after a short spell of domination the Fifers fell away again, and Clydebank once more went into the lead in the 56th minute through Moy, who made up for his penalty miss by beating McGann with a good shot.

After that play was fairly even. but with the home side tiring on the heavy ground, the Fifers gradually came into the game. and the longer it went, the stronger they looked. As time began to run out their play improved as Clydebank became ragged.

With fifteen minutes to go. Christie and Rutherford had their in-off. and then with only five minutes to go Rutherford collected a cross to score the winner.

Match report written by Unknown (Leven Mail)