Lesmahagow 1
Clydebank 4
League (Super Division One)

Match Report

Clydebank continued their recent run of good form by making it four wins on the spin against a beleaguered Lesmahagow side who are now officially relegated and consigned to district level football next season.

The Craighead Park men had to beat the Bankies to keep their survival chances alive, and they got off to the best possible start when Savage volleyed an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net after only seven minutes.

This early goal gave the Bankies the kick start they needed and they proceeded to dominate from here on in. After 15 minutes, a delightful move involving Packham and Hailstones, saw Proctor run through on goal and smash his shot off the cross bar.

The inevitable equaliser was only delayed by 5 minutes, though. Allum rode a challenge on the right hand side and rolled the ball into the path of Proctor who squeezed the ball home at the near post to claim his first goal for the Bankies.

The Gow fell apart and two further goals came in the next three minutes. Lappin obliged from the penalty spot after Proctor was barged in the box, and Kenna tapped in number three after Paul Allum had done all the hard work.

With the pressure off, the Bankies settled down and put in one of their best performances of the season. Allum should have scored after 39 minutes, but missed with the goal at his mercy, and Allum and Bowie contrived to waste a chance with the Gow defence all over the place.

The second period continued the onslaught towards the home goal. Thomson was forced to save at the feet of Bowie after 54 minutes, then Lappin curled in a shot that was too central. and the keeper claimed easily

Fisher came off the bench after 67 minutes, and almost had his name on the scoresheet straight away. Lappin fired in a back post cross that found Fisher on his own in space, however he couldn't get enough power on his downward head and Thomson saved.

The fourth goal finally arrived after 69 minutes with a great passing move that was typical of the way the players had performed all night. Bowie finished off the move to score his first league goal of the season.

Lesmahagow looked like the end couldn't come quick enough as the Bankies poured forward looking for more goals. McInnes burst into the box, and laid the ball off to Kenna, but his shot was just off target.

Then, Bowie's angled drive appeared to come off the arm of a Gow defender, but the ref showing some sympathy to the Gow, let it go.

This result has almost certainly secured the Bankies position in the Super League for next season, however the job is not done yet and complacency cannot be allowed to creep in as one relegation spot has still to be filled. Fellow strugglers Maryhill will not give up without a fight and it is vital that the squad pick up the remaining point required.