Maryhill 1
Clydebank 3
Sectional League Cup

Match Report

Clydebank's competitive season got underway at Lochburn Park today for the Sectional League Cup clash against Maryhill. Contrasting fortunes for both clubs over the past few seasons have seen Maryhill tumble from the elite down to the district leagues, whilst the Bankies slow, steady ascent to the top has continued.

This reversal in the clubs respective positions saw the Bankies coming into this tie as favourites, and in the end the result bore out this prediction, however the match was much closer than the scoreline suggests.


Reverting to the 3-5-2 formation favoured in the Bankies early years in the Juniors, Budgie McGhie's charges found it difficult to adapt, and Maryhill carried the early threat. On several occasions the defence were found wanting, and only the final ball was letting the home side down.

Slowly, Clydebank started to find their competitive edge, and Mark Hailstones created a shot for himself that didn't trouble Montgomery in the Maryhill goal. Allum followed this up with a first time shot that sailed wide of goal.


Before the break both sides passed up gilt-edged opportunities. Ex-Bankie, Chris McKie missed the sitter of this or any other season when he guided the ball over the bar from only a few feet out when it looked a certain goal. Kevin Proctor may just get the benefit of the doubt for his miss as Montgomery was quick to narrow the angle, and force the strikers close range shot away.

A goal and a sending off in the first few minutes of the second period put the Bankies firmly in the driving seat. Maxwell and Allum linked up on the right wing and the latter's cross was tapped in at the far post by Fisher to open the scoring. Maryhill's misery was compounded two minutes later when Sawyers was ordered off for a second bookable offence. A rather unfortunate ending for the midfielder whose first yellow was undeserved.

Rather than go to the wall, Maryhill were galvanised by this, and for a time it was hard to see who had the 10 men. This period was rewarded when the home side's trialist number 5 headed home from close range to bring the scores level.


The Bankies were forced to raise their game, and a little purple patch saw Proctor miss a second sitter when he headed wide from only a few yards, with the goal at his mercy. Alan Jack then saw a trademark effort go just over with goalkeeper seemingly beaten.

Budgie McGhie shuffled the pack by introducing Scobie, and John Jack into the fray. This tactical change allowed Maxwell to play as a striker, and this was the telling moment of the match as a goal and an assist gave victory to the Bankies.


With just under a quarter of an hour remaining Maxwell gained possession 25 yards out. With his back to goal, his turn and finish were from the top drawer as the ball crashed into the top corner of the net.

The home side began to visibly wilt, and the Bankies began to expose the home sides defence. opportunities to finish it off were passed up before Scobie obliged with the third after being fed the ball by Maxwell

Maryhill will no doubt be one of the favourites to win promotion from the district league, and in the final analysis they didn't create too many chances. Overall, this was a decent start to the campaign, and Budgie McGhie will be relatively pleased, however he will be looking for more in the coming months if a promotion challenge in the league is to be realistic.