Maybole 1
Clydebank 4
League (Super Division One)

Match Report

Clydebank took all 3 points after a blistering opening fifteen minute spell in the first half saw the Bankies Score three times. Two strikes against the woodwork and a further goal late in the match saw the Bankies win comfortably thanks to doubles from Carr and Kenna.

Chris Wilson was unavailable for the Bankies first visit to Ladywell Stadium. A well known ex-Bankie took over in goal as a trialist and Sutherland came into the defence as a straight replacement for the suspended Docherty.

Budgie McGhie's pre-match team talk must have been effective as the Bankies took the lead within a minute. Peacock was short with his pass back, and Craig intercepted the ball on the right hand side. He cut in from the bye line side and shot towards goal. Maybole's Walker would surely have cleared the ball, however Davie Carr challenged strongly and the ball spun high into the air and crossed the line.

Maybole recovered from this early setback, and were on top for the opening spell without threatening the Bankies goal too much. However, a goal did come out of the blue from a long punt from the keeper. It was nodded on straight into the path of walker, who evaded the bankies defence, and he lifted it beyond the Bankies keeper to make it one all

The Bankies response was immediate and the lead was restored within a minute. Maybole conceded a free kick wide on the right, which Lappin flighted to the back post. Cunningham met the cross and nodded it across goal, where Carr was waiting to slam it into the net

Before Maybole could catch breath, it was 3-1. Lappin sent over a fantastic corner kick, that was bulleted past the Maybole keeper by Andy Kenna at the near post.

The game ebbed and flowed as Maybole attempted to get back into the game, and the Bankies were content creating chances on the break. Cunningham saw a shot go over the bar before Maybole had two long range efforts from Templeton and Kerr that did not trouble the Clydebank goal.

Two goal hero, Davie Carr produced the outstanding piece of skill of the day with a sublime back heel on the left wing that took out two Maybole defenders. Paul Craig latched on to the ball and fired in a low shot that came back off the post.

The last 15 minutes of the half were punctuated with scrappy periods of play, and the only decent chance fell to paul Craig after a nod on from Cunningham. However, a lack of composure saw the Bankies front man blast the ball over the bar.

Maybole made two half times substitutions to try and retrieve the match, however the first chance of the second period fell to Clydebank. Lappin firing a free kick narrowly over, after a foul on Hoey.

Templeton, for Maybole, then Hoey for the Bankies exchanged long range efforts before the Ayrshire men had their best spell. Clydebank's trialist keeper was challenged by Kerr for a cross ball, that fell to Templeton. His high shot was well saved two handed by the keeper. Then McInnes, was forced into a last ditch saving tackle as Maybole's Strevenson raced goalbound from a suspiciously offside looking position.

Sensing the danger, McGhie made his first change of the afternoon with Jack replacing Fisher, who never really got into the game. This gave the Bankies a lift and Carr shouod have finished the game off with a glorious chance as found himslf clear on goal. The striker got beyond the Maybole defence, who were busy claiming against the offside Paul Craig, who made no attempt to reach the ball. Even though the angle was tight, Carr should have done better than screw his shot wide of the post.

As legs began to tire, Clydebank began to take a grip of the game . Hoey charged forward and laid the ball of to Craig who drilled a shot just wide of the target. Then, a superb piece of skill saw Alan Jack knock the ball over the head of a defender and sending in a right footed volley that was only a few inches over the top.

Paul Craig made way for James Duncan as the Bankies tried to use the winger's pace to stretch the home defence in the closing stages.

With quarter of an hour remaining, Lappin curled a shot off the cross bar from 20 yards. The ball rebounded out and it was laid back to Lappin again. His shot beat the keeper again, only for a man on the line to clear. Hailstones, then replaced Carr on 77 minutes.

Maybole struggled to make any inroads in the closing stages. Colin Sutherland making a great challenge on one of the few occasions that he was called into action.

The Bankies finally killed off the games with 5 minutes remaining. Ged Hoey had a wonderful run that also involved James Duncan. His stinging shot was well saved by McAulay in the Maybole goal, and went behind for a corner. Lappin fired in a near post corner, and there was Andy Kenna to nod the ball into goal. Hailstones had two great opportunities to add to the lead with headers. Unfortunately, both times the striker couldn't hit the target. These chances sandwiched a fine 25 yard effort from Maybole's Templeton that hit the top of the bar, and went over. The ref added a couple of minutes on, but the Bankies closed out the game for a great away victory.

This was a great victory for the Bankies. Maybole were a decent team that made Clydebank work for their victory, and not many teams will come away from Ladywell Park with such a resounding scoreline. Four points from two away games has to be seen as a decent start to the league campaign and with another away trip to come Budgie McGhie will hope the players can continue this form.