DAVE'S GAME REVIEWS - HOT OFF THE PRESS

DATE: Saturday 03rd May 2008

VENUE: Glenhead Park

COMPETITION: West Region Super One Championship

SCORELINE: Clydebank 1-1 Largs Thistle

Clydebank Scorers: Jack (88)

Opposition Scorers: Marks (81)

Clydebank Team: Corr, Allum, Soutar, Packham, Cunningham

  [b50] (Proctor 83), Kenna, Craig [so 67],

  Lappin, Hailstones (Jack 74), Lennox

  (Miller 59), Fisher.

Attempts on Target: Clydebank 4, Largs 4.

Corners: Clydebank 2, Largs 5.

Free Kicks Awarded: Clydebank 12, Largs 12.

Booked: Clydebank 1, Largs 2.

Sent Off: Clydebank 1, Largs 0

Hit Woodwork Clydebank 0, Largs 0

ECB Man of the Match Sinclair Soutar.

Bankies took on Largs Thistle as they attempted to launch themselves up the table and clear of the relegation zone. Clydebank were lifted by the recovery of Mark Hailstones who made a surprise start after being injured against Rob Roy in mid week.

The early stages of the game were interrupted by a few niggly fouls and the first shots on goal from Paul Craig and a reply by Largs were fairly tame efforts. Lennox headed over a free kick delivery on 8 minutes and by the time 10 minutes passed the Bankies had started to pass the ball about nicely and keep possession without really threatening the Largs goal.

Ever a threat Hailstones headed towards goal but the ‘keeper held and then Paul Craig turned deftly on the half way line and ran on but shot well wide. Another chance fell to the big striker on 23 minutes when hailstones powered a cross in from the right but Craig miscued with his header.

The first controversy of the game came on the half hour when Fisher attacked down the left and played a ball into the box, Hailstones seemed favourite to get there before the ‘keeper until he has man handled from behind but incredibly the referee waved play on and the shed side linesman wasn’t prepared to get involved.

Thistle forced a hat trick of corners in the 15 minutes before the break but they were defended well by a competent looking Clydebank defence and the game remained goalless at half time.

Clydebank started the livelier in the second period and 5 minutes in Hailstones through on goal took his shot first time when he could have took a touch and the ‘keeper saved at his post.

Immediately Largs broke up the park and Cunningham was booked for a foul on the 18 yard line but the free kick effort was blasted well over. Hailstones was doing a power of work and had another shot go just wide of the ‘keeper’s left hand post.

Bankies were having the best of the game but disaster struck in the 67th minute when Fisher delivered a corner and Paul Craig was judged by the linesman to have elbowed a defender in the box. Craig received a red card for his crime and forced Budgie to leave substitute Millar up front on his own in the hope of a break away goal.

To their credit Bankies adjusted well to being a man short with the back four continuing to defend well and find Millar at every opportunity with Kenna a willing runner from midfield. Alan Jack was also introduced, possibly in the hope that a free kick opportunity may arrive.

However, on 81 minutes Thistle broke down the left and broke the Bankie’s hearts when their troublesome centre forward, Marks, nicked the ball across Corr and into the net.

Only 9 minutes to go, down to 10 men and one goal down Budgie threw caution to the wind bringing on Proctor for central defender John Cunningham. Clydebank didn’t let their heads drop and on 88 minutes that free kick opportunity arrived when Andy Kenna was brought down 28 yards from goal. Up stepped Alan Jack and curled the ball over the wall and into the net for his 14th goal of the season. It was nothing more than the battling Bankies deserved and they could have nicked a deserved winner before full time but it wasn’t to be.

This was a crucial point for the Bankies that lifted them out of the relegation zone and if they show the same fighting spirit in the rest of their games they will be plying their trade in the Super Leagues next season again.

BELOW: DAVIE FISHER - PUT IN A STERLING EFFORT!!