Forfar Ath 2
Clydebank 1
League Cup (Group 9)

Match Report

Clydebank’s first midweek test of the season ended in disappointment at Station Park, where hosts Forfar Athletic claimed a narrow but deserved 2–1 victory in the second League Cup group fixture.

The Loons were on the front foot for much of the evening, their lively play and sharp movement in the final third giving the Bankies defence plenty to think about. Forfar’s 4-3-3 setup proved flexible and effective, with Knox, Buchan and Potter interchanging cleverly in midfield and supporting the attack with regularity.

Clydebank, by contrast, stuck to the same 4-2-4 shape that had served them well in the opening win over East Stirlingshire, but they found chances harder to come by here. Despite that, it was the visitors who took a surprise lead midway through the first half. A high lob eluded Forfar’s Fyfe at the back, and when McGill drove in a low cross from the right, inside-forward Tommy Cummings bundled the ball home at close range under pressure from McNeill.

However, the lead was short-lived. Just minutes later, Forfar levelled when Knox gathered a loose ball and fired a fine shot through a ruck of players and high into the net, giving Wilson no chance.

The remainder of the first half saw the home side dominate, with Clydebank mostly pinned back. Things threatened to boil over when Bankies full-back McDonald was booked for a heavy challenge on Wyles, who limped for some time afterward. The referee, to his credit, kept control of the game well thereafter.

After the break, Clydebank began with renewed purpose and were unlucky not to go back in front when Willie McCallum’s header struck the post following good work from Cummings. Substitute Russell replaced Joe Rankin on the hour mark, but barely a minute later Forfar grabbed what would prove to be the winner. A high delivery from Mackle to the far post was met brilliantly by Wyles, who rose between two defenders and sent a powerful header into the far corner.

The Loons pressed for a third, and it took a goal-line clearance from McGill to deny Park’s header late on. Despite some late Clydebank pressure, there was no way back for the visitors.

Although beaten, Clydebank showed glimpses of promise, with goalkeeper Ronnie Wilson again impressing, and the likes of Cummings and McCallum providing moments of quality in attack. It was a reminder, however, that adapting to the rigours of senior football would be a steady process.

Forfar, meanwhile, looked well-drilled and organised. With continued performances like this, they could yet make a serious impression on Group 9.

Match report written by Stuart McBay