Clydebank 0
Falkirk 7
League (Division 2)

Match Report

The above is the latest in computerised scores, direct from Kilbowie Park. Never before has any Clydebank team suffered the humility of such a hammering before their home crowd, in any League match.

In all fairness to them, two of their regular players were injured, and this involved a reshuffle of the team. Dougie Hay was injured on Wednesday night during the Queen of the South game while Jim Fallon was taken to the Western Infirmary with a broken nose which he sustained in a car accident on his way to the match.

His place in the team was taken by Paul McMillan, while Tommy McGhee moved back to left-back, and David Mitchell, normally a full tack, was playing inside-left.

Full-time Falkirk fielded the same team that played Hamilton Accies last week.

Clydebank started off well enough, with a Jimmy Caskie shot being well held by Rennie, but the experience of this Falkirk team began to take its effect against the youthful Clydebank team.

Inside-left McLaughlin had the Clydebank hearts in their mouths, when he hit a Hoggan cross first time just over the bar.

The Falkirk forwards were pressing away relentlessly at the Clydebank defence which was far from steady.

In the 22nd minute, Falkirk went ahead. A George Miller pass found Craig Watson with oceans of room on the left wing and he wasted no time in lobbing the ball over Madden's head while the keeper hesitated on the line.

Due to injury, play had overrun by one minute in the first half, when Falkirk scored again. Centre-forward Graham intercepted a McGhee pass back, waltzed past Madden and tucked the ball into the net.

Just after the resumption of the second half, Falkirk right-back Markie collapsed holding his left leg, after he had tackled Mitchell. He was carried off the field with a suspected broken leg, but happily it was nothing more than a jarred nerve. Substitute Ford came on and took up Markie's position.

In the 52nd minute, Falkirk struck again. Miller took the ball up the left wing and sent in a low cross which found Young. The inside-forward killed the ball, swivelled, and hit the ball into the back of the net. It was a good goal which sent the colony of Falkirk supporters in the terracing into song.

Clydebank seemed to give up now, and in an effort to stir some life into the team, McGunnigle replaced Mitchell.

It made no difference, however, as Young put the Bairns four up. He beat McMillan and sent in a 15 yard shot past Madden, with the Clyde bank defence nowhere to be seen.

Danny Gray tried a shot from 25 yards, which just flew past the post, after Gerry O'Brien and Alan Munro had set up the chance.

The fifth goal was an absolute tragedy.

Paul McMillan who had been limping about for some time with a sore ankle watched helplessly as the ball ran within feet of himself to Young, who hit the ball into the net via the post for his hat-trick.

It was disheartening to watch as the Falkirk players walked through the Clydebank team without being challenged. The Bankies seemed to have taken root to the spot, unable to tackle their teas, never mind Falkirk.

With five minutes to go George Miller scored his side's sixth goal and in injury time Graham scored the seventh in the 91st. minute.

If Falkirk play like this all the time, then the second division title is a mere formality, but how often are they going to come across a team as weak as Clydebank were.

The potential is there, so why are the results so bad?

It is hoped that the mystery player they are trying to sign just row is a miracle maker, for believe me it is going to take a miracle to take this team to where they rightly belong at the top of the second division.

Match report written by Tom Malcolm (Clydebank Press)