Match Report
Clydebank marked their election to the professional set-up with an impressive 3-0 victory over East Stirlingshire in their opening League Cup tie at Kilbowie Park.
With more than 2,000 spectators turning out despite poor weather, there was a sense of occasion as the Bankies took to the field for their first senior fixture. Among those in attendance were several Clydebank town councillors, including Provost Malcolm Turner and former Provost Donald Paterson.
Jack Steedman's side unveiled a new 4-2-4 formation and, although there were signs of early unfamiliarity, the system soon settled into place. With six players dropping back whenever East Stirlingshire attacked, Clydebank looked well organised defensively while carrying a constant threat going forward.
The breakthrough came after just seven minutes. John McGill found Willie McCallum with a measured pass and the centre-forward unleashed a powerful angled drive from around 25 yards that flew beyond Alex Davie to give the Bankies the lead.
McCallum was one of Clydebank's standout performers. Although wearing the No. 9 shirt, he frequently drifted wide and deeper to link the play, causing the East Stirlingshire defence problems throughout the afternoon.
Clydebank continued to dictate the game and almost doubled their advantage when John Cummings tested Davie with a low drive before later heading narrowly wide from a McCallum cross.
The second goal arrived after 33 minutes. Joe Rankin dispossessed Brian Miller before driving a fine 20-yard effort into the net to give Clydebank a deserved two-goal advantage at the interval.
East Stirlingshire threatened briefly at the start of the second half, with Walter Carlyle missing a good opportunity when through on goal, but the visitors were unable to build any sustained pressure.
Instead, the Bankies put the contest beyond doubt seven minutes after the restart. A swift attacking move involving Alex Stewart and McCallum stretched the Shire defence, and under pressure from John Cummings, defender John Simpson could only divert the ball into his own net.
Although Clydebank did not add to their tally, they remained comfortably in control for the remainder of the match. Ronnie Wilson was rarely troubled, while Ernie Collumbine - facing his former club - adapted impressively to his role in the new formation and was identified by the Falkirk Herald as one of the key figures in the victory.
East Stirlingshire were forced into using their substitute after Pat Watters suffered a leg injury ten minutes from time, Joe Connelly becoming the first replacement ever used by the club under the newly introduced substitute rule.
It was an encouraging beginning to Clydebank's first season as a Scottish League club. The new formation proved effective, several new faces impressed, and the Bankies could hardly have asked for a better start to their League Cup campaign.
Match report written by Stuart McBay
