Clydebank 3
Raith Rovers 2
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Clydebank pulled off their most dramatic and significant victory of the season so far with a remarkable late turnaround against high-flying Raith Rovers at Kilbowie. Second-bottom at kick-off and facing the side sitting second in the table, the Bankies defied the odds with two goals in the last eight minutes to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches and send the home support into raptures.

The match was played on a heavy, uneven pitch—more beach than grass in places—which made conditions treacherous underfoot. Raith had the lion’s share of possession and created far more chances, but in the end, it was Clydebank who made theirs count.

Raith looked in command early on and carved out a series of near misses through Porterfield, Gardner and Wallace. But in a stunning counterpunch, Clydebank took the lead with practically their first attack. Centre-forward Russell laid the ball off to Tony Moy, who darted in from a tight angle and fired a low shot past Reid into the corner of the net.

That lead lasted just over fifteen minutes. A fine move down the left saw John McDonald find Gordon Wallace with an awkward high ball, but Wallace controlled it brilliantly and swept a pass into the box for Richardson to out-jump McLachlan and nod home the equaliser.

Raith kept up the pressure after the break and eventually took a deserved lead in curious fashion. Wallace charged down McLachlan as the keeper attempted to clear, and the ball ricocheted off the Raith forward and spun straight into the empty net. It was a freak goal, but one that summed up Raith’s dominance at that point.

With ten minutes to go, it looked like Clydebank would have to settle for valiant defeat. But then came the stunning twist.

Moy grabbed his second of the match—and Clydebank’s equaliser—when he met a cross from Rankine and attempted an ambitious hook shot. It appeared to be a routine save for Reid, but the ball hit the hard turf in front of the keeper and bounced wildly over his shoulder and into the net. Fortune favoured the bold, and Kilbowie erupted.

Still reeling, Raith were punished again just three minutes from time. Another Bankies attack wasn’t properly cleared, and when the ball broke to Joe Rankine, he pounced to fire in the winner and complete an extraordinary comeback.

While Raith could feel aggrieved not to have come away with something, their wastefulness in front of goal ultimately cost them. Wallace was excellent throughout, and Porterfield pulled the strings in midfield, but they were undone by Clydebank's grit, opportunism, and a bit of good fortune.

For the Bankies, Moy was the match-winner, while Rankine again impressed in a lively forward line. This result not only secured the points but sent a clear message that Clydebank were no longer a soft touch, even for the promotion chasers.

Match report written by Stuart McBay