East Stirlingshire 2
Clydebank 1
League (Division 2)

Match Report

It seems a little early in the year for dull, end-of-the-season football but that's exactly what these teams served up at Firs Park on Saturday.

Clydebank again seemed to miss the enthusiasm of Gerry O'Brien and consequently their play suffered. However, they were no worse than an East Stirling team, whose only worthwhile contribution was a fine goal 12 minutes from time which clinched the points.

For the entire 90 minutes, play was more or less centred around the midfield. Goalkeepers Archibald and McDonald can seldom have had a quieter afternoon - the forwards of each side were so bad.

The Bankies opening goal was brilliantly taken by Jimmy Caskie. A mix-up between Comrie and his keeper allowed the teenager to nip in and crash a left-foot shot into the net after 34 minutes.

Shire, who had only tested McDonald once up until then, forced a corner on the left four minutes later. McDonald caught the ball but was bundled over the line by Martin.

Bankies were all set to take a free-kick but referee Pringle was adamant and a goal it was. The Shire players could hardly believe their luck!

After the interval, the game looked certain to finish all-square. Neither attack showed any initiative, and the defences were capable of dealing competently with their few raids.

However, after 78 minutes, little Jimmy Kinsella beat Hay on the edge of the box and slipped the ball to the unmarked Donachie.

The big centre didn't even look up-he just hit the ball hard and low past the 'keeper.

This proved the winner, but a draw would probably have been a fairer result. Obviously neither team had anything to play for except the prestige.

But the Bankies cannot be happy at losing two points to a poor 'Shire outfit when they should have at least salvaged one.

Their outstanding player was Alan Munro, but he got no support from his front-line colleagues.

Written by Unknown (Clydebank Press)

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How the other side saw it
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Shire Collected the points on Saturday, but they were far from impressive in victory.

For their 3s, the 600 spectators saw 12 minutes of exciting football - the final 12 after John Donachie had netted the Firs Parkers' winner in the 78th minute.

Up until then, neither team had been impressive. Play was centred in midfield and both keepers can seldom have had an easier afternoon's work.

However, to be fair, both defences were on top and allowed the forwards very little scope. Only two attackers caught the eye - Kinsella for 'Shire and Munro for Bankies. Both players had the ability to beat a man and then shoot but they never got any support from their front-line colleagues.

After 34 minutes the visitors went ahead. Bert Archibald and Alex Comrie got in a tangle in the box and the ball broke to young Jimmy Caskie who, without hesitation, crashed it home via the left-hand upright.

Four minutes later 'Shire scored a shock equaliser. They forced a corner on the right, but keeper McDonald had no bother in collecting La Piazza's corner-kick. However, as he caught the ball, he connected with Tommy Martin's shoulder and fell over the line.

The Clydebank players were all set to take a free-kick - but referee Pringle was on his way to the centre of the field adamant that it was a goal.

The score remained all square until the interval and then second half both sides were so poot that they seemed sure to share the points.

But then, just when this conclusion appeared to cards, leading goalscorer Donachie appeared on the scene.

Now John has never been noted for being a tremendous footballer but give him half-a-chance and the ball is in the net. And that's happened in the 78th minute.

Jimmy Kinsella beat two men on the edge of the box and slipped the ball to Donachie. The big centre stepped forward a couple of yards and hit a low grounder past McDonald for what proved to be the winning goal.

Written by Mel Henderson (Falkirk Herald)