Clydebank 1
Stranraer 3
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Clydebank slumped to tenth position in the league after a demoralising 3-1 defeat at the hands of Stranraer on Saturday. The Bankies never overcame the initial shock of being one goal down after two minutes and throughout the match Stranraer showed greater skill and composure.

One bright point for Clydebank was the reappearance of Peter Kane following his dislocated shoulder a fortnight earlier.

The Clydebank formation was similar to this season's general line-up and the teams kicked off in brisk but bright conditions in front of a 1,000 crowd.

Included in Stranraer's team was Stanley King, a former Bankies player.

The air of cheerful confidence in the visitors' dressing room before the match manifested itself from the outset with Stranraer taking the offensive.

The Bankies had little time to warm up before Copland had the ball in the back of the net after only 120 seconds. The opening score was the result of a sharp, fast build-up which took full advantage of the lapsed Clydebank defence. Copland connected with a neat overlap from Symington.

Danny Gray created an opportunity when he sent an accurate ball floating across goal, but the chance was not taken and Clydebank set about lessening the tactical advantage the visitors had created. Caskie shot just wide after 11 minutes following a promising mid-field move.

Peter Kane celebrated his return with a fine shot which was desperately blocked by King. Alan Munro provided some light relief a few minutes later when he swung at the ball, the problem being that the ball was missing. Despite the amusement it was typical of the lack of cohesive finishing power from the Clydebank ranks.

It was Copland again who gave McDonald cause for concern when he nearly scored after a goalmouth duel. Fortunately for the Bankies the goalie was well in control of the situation.

Heap provided his opponents with some respite in the 23rd minute when a shot from Alan Munro ricocheted off his body into the net. Although level, Clydebank continued to fight a rearguard action and McDonald saved several threatening attempts from the rampant visiting attack.

For a while the game subsided into a lethargic period although Jack Steedman voiced his opinions from the director’s box which appeared to have some effect on his men. This vocal encouragement spurred Clydebank on to something resembling urgency.

Underlining his nuisance value in attack, Copland capitalised on two tactical blunders and was unlucky on both occasions. Maybe it was the cold weather but the Bankies lacked the crispness and quick response they have shown in recent games.

Munro seemed intent on making his mark on the game and after 36 minutes he adeptly outplayed several Stranraer men only to shoot wide.

Four minutes later McDonadd was left to clear up a defensive scrum. Caskie led a Bankies counterstrike, but his shot went into the side-netting.

Just before the interval, McDonald performed an unorthodox save when he “backed” the ball out of the ground when it deflected from his body.

Two minutes after the restart Munro flew horizontally at a ball provided by Caskie, but just failed to connect with his head.

Copland continued to be the architect of Clydebank's misfortune when he created the opportunity which allowed Blackwood to hit a downward header past the despondent McDonald.

Dennis Ruddy's robust approach to football met with the disapproval of referee McKenzie when the defender was spoken to in the 55th minute, having retaliated against Blackwood. On the hour mark, Donnie Wilson came on to replace Mike Jackson.

Collings forced McDonald to climb for the ball, which he had placed for the left hand corner of the goal from 40 yards out after 68 minutes. Clydebank staged a hard working comeback, but a solid, tight Stranraer defence thwarted any attempts at an equaliser. Peter Kane was ticked off!

The nearest Clydebank came to drawing level was when Caskie shot low and hard. This time Heap made no mistake and headed the ball down to Whiteside.

In a last-ditch attempt to salvage at least one point, Bankies were snubbed and to the howled lament of a local dog, Campbell crashed the ball past McDonald in the 89th minute.

A miserable afternoon for Clydebank, who must begin to wonder when the continual yo-yoing up and down the league will stop. One wonders why Jimmy Wilson's promising talents have not been fully exploited and if a solution can be found to the team's inconsistent record.

McDonald, Caskie, and Munro played with most determination for Clydebank, while Collings, Copland and Blackwood shone for Stranraer.