Clydebank 1
Berwick Rangers 2
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Clydebank slumped behind Berwick in the League and on the scoreline on Saturday. Manager Jack Steedman's post mortem verdict was: “We made enough chances to win, but didn't take them. We therefore cannot expect anything else."

Gloomy, wet, damp, miserable. A quartet of adjectives to describe the conditions at Kilbowie.

Heralded as “Newman" in the Clydebank squad, 17-year-old St. Roch's trialist, Ronnie Lowry, set up stall between the posts and although Mr. Steedman felt there were few opportunities to judge the new hopeful 'keeper, Lowry shut out two good attempts by strikers Hopkinson and Whitehead early on.

Undergoing his literal baptism for the Bankies was new-signing Billy McColl, formerly of Drumchapel Amateurs. Immediately identified by his dark flowing locks, young 17-year-old William is, as the cliché goes, “one to watch.”

Jimmy Caskie's reflexes and accuracy co-ordinated well when the slight, pale striker nearly grabbed the lead eight minutes before the interval. His corner kick homed in on the Berwick net only to be clasped by Wilson with an instinctive save.

Four minutes hence and the Rangers enjoyed a one-goal advantage. Their man Hall was the executioner, who finalised a lightning break after Clydebank pressure on their own goalmouth. The trialist conceded his first senior goal when the shot cannoned past him over the line.

Clydebank's onslaught continued without results but McColl, Love and Larnach provided a fluid chain, sadly without the clinching link.

At this stage McColl was showing an almost leisurely competence in distributing the ball from the midfield to feed the strikers.

Although Saturday was hardly a brilliant afternoon for Ian Currie he provided a strong scoring chance just before half-time when he curved an awkward ball towards goal. Wilson was again fortunate to reach it.

With 50 minutes gone, Billy McColl forced Wilson to earn his money with a stabbing blunt shot. The 'keeper had a busy time and Currie was unlucky not to make his second attempt count.

Time after time the home attacking formation would combine to bring a chance about and with an equal frequency their work was squandered.

Ronnie Lowry almost brought about a disastrous second Rangers' goal in the 68th minute when he went out foot-first to an attack. Hopkinson strode over him and Whitehead hit the loose ball off the post.

Lister shattered Clydebank's recovery hopes in the 73rd minute by duly netting a penalty after Jim Fallon pulled down Berwick's Hall.

But all credit to Clydebank in general and Jimmy Caskie in particular. The wee man capitalised on a defensive lapse to pull one goal back in 75 minutes.

They maintained the pressure and McColl nearly scored a debut goal but the ever-present Wilson was as present as ever to keep the points for Rangers.

A frustrating match for Clydebank against a tough, experienced side not willing to allow the Bankies any charity at all. Billy McColl's performance was a partial compensation.