Forfar Ath 2
Clydebank 1
League Cup (Group 9)

Match Report

A thoroughly deserved two points. The Loons controlled the run of play almost the whole time and the result should not have been so close.

Buchan came in for Mathews who had taken a knock at Stranraer and he team was otherwise as in the opening game. The crowd was slow to turn up but thickened after the kick-off if it was never as good as night have been hoped. A few good wins are needed to bring the spectators back and this one was a start.

Conditions were ideal for players and crowd if allowance was made for slight wind and a setting sun which was hard to look into.

What the Athletics’ official formation was we do not know but it soon became evident that in fact they were playing 4-3-3 against Clydebank's more obvious and more rigid 4-2-4. The homesters were in a natty white strip with green pants and the fact hat they looked so smart probably had an effect on their play. Clydebank with a diagonal sash on a red shirt had what one spectator wittily described as a Salvation Army look.

Forfar moved smartly from the outset and the early incidents of mote came from them. Potter let Loose a tremendous shot from 30 wards which just cleared the bar with the visiting keeper beaten; then the same player had a fine run up the touchline and crossed to Park's head for another try which just failed; finally, Buchan foot-worked his way right up the middle and his shot also just cleared the bar.

But it was Clydebank who scored in their first real move to the other end. A lob was too high for Fyfe's head and McGill picked up the ball and crossed low. In a lunge for the ball in competition with McNeill, Cummings got the needed touch to score almost on the goal-line.

In a couple of minutes the Loons were level. Knox picked up a cross from the left and shot from behind a crowd of players to rattle a great ball high up into the net.

The rest of the half was Forfar's with the visitors largely concentrating on defence and managing to hold out. Not always in the fairest of ways, and McDonald was severely cautioned by the referee for a foul on Wyles which left that Loon crippling For quite a while. But the referee thus made it clear that he was to stand no nonsense, and we hand it to him that he controlled the game very well and very fairly.

Clydebank looked an attacking force for a short spell after the interval and in their best move of the game McCallum headed against the post from a cross by Cummings. In the 59th minute Russell came on in place of J. Rankine who had taken a twist.

Just a minute after this substitution Forfar scored the winning goal. It was a long lob by Mackle to the far side of the goal area and Wyles rose above two defenders to head well away from the keeper.

This combination threatened several times subsequently to produce more goals but the nearest thing was a header by Park from a Wyles centre which was going into the far side of the goal until McGill bobbed up to head away off the goal-line.

A good Forfar team and with promise of being better. The defensive four were very competent with Malcolm and Fyfe, the two newest members, taking the eye. Behind them Ritchie was generally getting a good look at the ball and inspiring confidence.

Maybe it was meant to be a two-man link but in effect it was three-man, Knox, Buchan and Potter interchanging on the job of patrolling the middle area and sashaying off into the attack when the opportunity offered. These three looked as likely to score as anyone and Knox did get the equaliser.

Mackle had a good game and Park, if closely policed, was always dangerous enough to keep the opposing defence on the hop. Wyles wasn't moving around enough in the first half but subsequently he became a menace when he started to come into the middle and showed that he could get to the high ball.

The Loons still have to develop their scoring ideas a bit. They were inclined too much to the high ball into the middle more frequent use of the low ball would have added the variety needed to upset a defence which packed very quickly. Clydebank had an excellent keeper, a tough rear four, and potential goalmakers in Cummings and McGhee. They have a workmanlike side which should do well enough in the Second Division.

Match report written by Unknown (Forfar Despatch)