Arbroath 3
Clydebank 0
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Arbroath coasted to victory against Clydebank at Gayfield Park on Wednesday night, but the form they displayed again did not please their fans.

It was a game they should have won by a much wider margin. But they footered about in the first half, and it was only after the interval that they really gave themselves a shake.

Clydebank provided poor position. They were as weak in defence as they were in attack, yet the Maroons found it difficult to get the ball in the net. Even the chance to add to the score by a twice-taken penalty went a-begging!

Both teams had to bring on their substitutes at the beginning of the second half. Arbroath's Jim Cant was taken to the Infirmary with suspected concussion, but it later transpired he had strained neck muscles. Finnie took over at inside-left. Clydebank's McDonald received a thigh injury, and Russell deputised.

Arbroath were early on the attack and Cant and Pierson combined well. The latter, however, fluffed his shot.

In another raid Jack had the ball in the net but he was flagged for off-side. The Maroons then made progress on the right and a good shot from Easton flashed past the far post.

Wilkie ran on to a nice through pass and Wilson was forced to leave his charge and give away a corner. Nothing resulted from it.

The homesters missed a grand chance to take the lead after 12 minutes but Cant shot wide when well placed. Another chance went abegging shortly afterwards. Jack crossed from almost the bye-line and Easton rushed in to connect with his head but missed in front of goal.

Wilson then had to come out and kick clear in another Arbroath raid. The ball went to Wilkie, who headed towards goal. The 'keeper leapt high in the air to gather the ball..

The best shot of the match so far came from Cant, which Wilson saved low down. From a corner on the right Jack headed over. Arbroath took the lead after 32 minutes when Cargill headed in a cross from Jack.

In one of their infrequent raids McCallum had a good try but it was wide of the mark..

Arbroath were awarded a penalty three minutes from the interval when McDonald handled a handled a cross from Wilkie. Kennedy took the spot kick, and although Wilson saved the referee judged that the 'keeper had moved. Kennedy's second attempt was also stopped by Wilson.

Clydebank should have squared the game after three minutes of the resumption but Newman sent in to Williamson's hands from a couple of yards.

At the other end Wilkie sent low across goal with only Wilson to beat.

Finnie then had a good try but the elevation was on the high side. After this, Wilson failed to hold a hot one from Jack, the ball spinning from his grasp for a corner.

The 'keeper was warmly applauded for the way he dealt with a rasping shot from Jack.

Almost a goal for Clydebank after 65 minutes. Stirling passed back to Williamson but the keeper fumbled the ball and it went along the goal-line before being scrambled away. McCallum ran in to prod it home but missed.

The homesters went two up after 67 minutes, Finnie scoring from a pass by Easton.

It was No. 3 two minutes later. Cargill sent a ball up the middle and a defensive mistake left Jack in the clear to blast home, The first decent shot of this half came from McCallum, whose first-time effort was tipped over by Williamson.

Match Report by Unknown (Arbroath Herald)