Neilston Juniors 0
Clydebank 0 (4-5 on pens)
Central League Cup (3rd Round)

Match Report

Clydebank progressed to the quarter finals of the Central League Cup after knocking Neilston out in a penalty shoot out at the Brig o Lea Stadium after a dreary 0-0 draw in normal time.

Neilston had ex Bankies Martin McInnes and Derek Kennedy in their starting line up with another in James Lennox on the bench.

It has to be said that the 90 minutes before the spot kicks were pretty dull for the most part. Neilston hassled and harried but created little of note. They had their best moments in the first half when they had the energy to compete, but kicking up the hill in the second period did little to help them as it became a one way procession towards their goal.

The Bankies struggled to get their game going, but improved in the second half. There was a distinct lack of creativity, but the almost constant second half pressure should have brought a goal. McElroy had perhaps the best chance when he brought out a fine blocking save from Perry in the home goal. Other than that there was a whole array of snatched shots and wild efforts at goal.

The home side never looked like snatching a shock victory, and were content to let time tick away for a chance of getting the breaks in a penalty shoot out, especially when Young was ordered off for a second bookable offence with five minutes to go. They got their opportunity as the Bankies could not make the breakthrough in the 90 minutes.

The shoot out provided one of the more unusual moments you are likely to see. 7 good spot kicks were taken by Christie, Canning, Kennedy and Gordon for the home side and Martin, McCann and Bell for the Bankies. McElroy stepped up for Clydebank and struck his kick low to Perry's right hand side. The keeper dived and blocked the spot kick, and the ball spun outwards. The home side let out a huge cheer, but in a cruel twist of fate the ball wasn't finished spinning and it came back on itself and despite a desperate attempt from Perry the ball somehow ended up in the net.

Worse was to follow as Hamilton superbly pushed away Neilston's next spot kick from Holmes. Paterson duly stepped up and smashed the Bankies 5th penalty high into the net to settle the tie.

Clydebank face Shettleston in the next round at Holm Park

Match report written by Stuart McBay