Clydebank 3
Stranraer 0
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Clydebank humbled their promotion-chasing visitors at Kilbowie Park on Saturday with a fine display of control and stamina on a pitch resembling a paddy-field. With monsoon conditions and April Fool's Day combined it would have been easy to forecast an under par game. But both teams were determined to make the best of the saturated ground.

The lighter Clydebank squad seemed more at home in the mud (thanks to their mud patch training?) and after the initial settling period began to take a grip of play.

Alan Munro's constant harrying of Stranraer's defence paid dividends in the 21st minute when he hammered a mis-kicked clearance from centre half Heap past Whiteside.

Munro, Currie and McPaul never gave the visitors any peace and with solid support from Fallon, Hall and Love the Bankies' confidence grew with every move.

Just after the half hour mark Jim Fallon made a long brave run through the blue shirts only to place the ball slightly wide.

Bobby Love, getting through a vast amount of work, was camouflaged from head to foot in good Clydebank mud and one had the feeling that if he fell he might be lost for ever.

Lanky Munro fell to the ground with an agonising scream in the 42nd minute after a collision with Hopkins and apparently injured his ankle. However, Munro trotted out with his team mates after the interval.

Jim Fallon's name rather dubiously entered the referee's book three minutes later after an offence on Duffy who ended up looking like a black and white minstrel with the emphasis on black.

The environment got a grip on the game for about ten minutes and the 22 men struggled to maintain their previous performance.

Stranraer were not without their chances and it took all of McDonald's height and anticipation to tip over a strong shot from right-half Collings, in the 54th minute.

But time after time the heavier visiting team dithered and hesitated in the marsh while Clydebank skimmed over the foul surface with relative ease,

Bobby Love was the architect of Clydebank's second goal when his free kick was skidded past Whiteside by McPaul in the 57th minute.

The pressure from the Bankies' forwards continued and it was an offside decision which resulted in Kane's flick from a McPaul shot being disallowed, after 68 minutes.

Ten minutes later Currie turned effort into points. Munro turned the ball in front of goal to wee Ian who slammed it home.

Despite the deficit, Stranraer never capitulated but their greater bulk was a distinct disadvantage on the mud and the Clydebank mudlarks walked off at full time with two well-earned points.