Ashfield 4
Clydebank 2
League (Super Premier Division)

Match Report

Clydebank lost for the first time in the league since January as they were sunk by Ashfield with the rather resounding looking scoreline of 4-2. The match was actually lost in the first half as the Bankies found themselves three goals down leaving a near impossible task in the second period. The strange thing is that the Bankies scarcely deserved to be one goal down at the break, never mind three

The woes began in the very first minute when an innocuous forward ball was miscued by Ross Campbell who let the ball dribble under his foot, and directly into the path of ex-Bankie Kevin Murray. It was a simple enough task to fire home past the isolated Hamilton.

After that Clydebank were far and away the better side, if not a little bit toothless in the final third of the field. The best two chances were from Chris Wilson who shot narrowly wide when played in by a clever Ross McPherson free kick, then from Gordon Moffat who saw the Ashfield defence part right in from of him. Unfortunately, he did not show enough composure and scuffed his shot at Hall from the edge of the box.

It was looking that the Bankies could take all three points, if they could just make the breakthrough. Any chance of that happening was shattered though, as two goals were conceded in three minutes prior to the half time break. The second goal was from a corner kick where the unmarked Hall was able to stoop at the near post to head high into the net. Hall set up Ashfield’s Third with a great defence splitting ball that Maxwell finished very ably.

The Bankies had to pick themselves up and Graham replaced Campbell at the restart. Strangely enough, Ashfield started quite well and a few half decent efforts the best of which was a header from Maxwell that wasn’t far away.

It didn’t last long as the Bankies began to push the home side back again. An audacious attempt at chipping the keeper from the halfway live almost came off for Joe Andrew, and then McPherson saw Hall turn away his sliding effort.

Twenty minutes in, and the Bankies finally got the goal they deserved. It was an absolute screamer as Vinny Berry smashed the ball into the top corner from fully 30yds. Clydebank had all the momentum, and could the comeback be on. Well, no.
Barely a minute later Ashfield were awarded a penalty, as Moffat was adjudged to have impeded Murray in the box. It seemed like a harsh decision at the time, and repeated viewings on the highlights do not make it seem any clearer cut. Maxwell made no mistake from the spot and the Bankies seemed visibly sunk by this.

Ross McPherson managed to reduce the deficit with a fantastic free kick, but it was all in vain. The Bankies miserable day was compounded by the red card of Gordon Moffat late on for taking out an attacking Ashfield player.

The penalty decision certainly took the wind out of the Clydebank player’s sails, and any glimmer of a comeback was squashed. However, it was the three first half goals that did all the damage. As the season starts to develop, it seems that the defence do not look as solid with a clean sheet still to be gained. At the other end, the forwards seem to be struggling against tall, physical defences. Both of these problems may have to be addressed sooner, rather than later to ensure that the Bankies can compete at the right end of the table.

Match report written by Stuart McBay