Clydebank 2
East Stirlingshire 0
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Two dogs, pedigree uncertain, provided the best entertainment at last Saturday's match. About 50 little boys ran on to the pitch, uninvited, to offer their services near the end of the first half, but the dogs refused to allow themselves to be ejected, forcibly or otherwise.

After an excellent display of "rugby” lasting three minutes, Clydebank physiotherapist, Tony Lenaghan, captured one of the canine rebels. Disheartened by his colleague's failure to evade capture, the other dog submitted willingly to arrest.

The football match itself was so slow that by half-time the spectators must have been preparing to shout, "Bring back the dogs."

Erratic passing from both sides did nothing to enliven the match. More balls were wasted through inaccuracy than there were fans on the terracing. Goodness knows, there were not even that many fans!

Just as the game seemed to be lapsing into a boring rut, from midfield left-half Dougie Hay, of Clydebank, scored a sparkling goal that would have put the best prestidigitator in the shade.

He sent over a high lob which slipped through keeper Archibald's fingers into the back of the net. Taking full advantage of this surprise lead the Clydebank forwards continued to harass the East Stirling defence, but their efforts were futile.

Just after Hay's brilliant effort, O'Brien came near to increasing the home team's lead meeting the ball ten yards out from the East Stirling goal he tried to head it home.

Failing to cover the ball Archibald could only stand and watch as East Stirling left back, McGuiness, ran into position and headed clear from the line. At half-time the score stood at 1-0.

To begin with the second half had little more to offer than the first. Both teams played an uninspired, clumsy game, offering almost nothing in the way of good football.

One goal down, the East Stirling -players were playing heartlessly, trying feebly to squeeze through a somewhat disarranged Clydebank defence. Clydebank keeper, Mick McDonald, couldn't ask for a much quieter game,

I sincerely hope the poor bloke doesn't have to stand and watch another like it.

One thing the fans did get however, was a full-length demonstration of poor dribbling, with Martin of East Stirling and Munro of Clydebank in the lead roles.

Allan Munro's sticky feet tactics almost paid off in the 66th minute. He had the visiting defence quivering as he slipped through them with the ball.

Archibald came out to meet him and managed to block a shot but couldn't hold it. Tommy McGhee, of Clydebank raced the remainder of the East Fife defence for a shot, only to see his attempt hit the woodwork and run over the bye-line.

This was not the only occasion on which Archibald got away with bad 'keeping.

If any player at Kilbowie has a nose for a chance, it's Jimmy Caskie. He proved this scoring Clydebank's second goal.

Collecting the ball on the left wing, he made a flying solo run straight at the East Stirling goal.

Twisting as he shot, he sent in a lovely angular ball which Archibald didn't have a snowball's chance down-under of getting his fingers to.

This was Clydebank's second win at home in a row, although they lost away to Forfar.

Faced with a stronger team on Saturday I feel Clydebank may have found the going a lot stickier than it actually was.

But to be optimistic I'll say, "Things are looking up at Kilbowie." I'll commit myself no further than that.

Match report written by Oliver McGeachy (Clydebank Press)