Clydebank 1
Cumnock 2
League (Super Premier Division)

Match Report

A lethargic Clydebank went down by two goals to one at home to a hungry looking Cumnock side, who needed the points to avoid being dragged in to the relegation battle at the bottom of the table.

The Bankies misery was compounded by the ordering off of Tommy Martin prior to the interval leaving a mountain to climb. A much improved display in the second half saw the deficit cut to one, but overall the visitors deserved their victory.

The Bankies passing in the first half was shocking and they made little headway against a Cumnock side who were chasing down every ball with great verve.

Cumnock's Robertson scored two quickfire goals on 18 and 20 minutes and these were the very first shots at goal by either side in the match.

Liam Campbell playing his first game between the sticks since November hesitated at the first goal allowing Robertson just enough time to prod the ball past him. The second had a bit of fortune about it as the ball ricocheted all over the place in the penalty area from a free kick. The ball fell for Robertson who fair lashed it high into the net with the aid of a deflection.

It took the Bankies a few more minutes to have an attempt at goal - a fairly tame free kick from Berry. Then came the real killer when Tommy Martin deliberately blocked the ball with his hand. His earlier booking left the ref no option but to show him a red.

Cumnock could have extended their lead early in the second half, especially from Robertson who could have notched a hat trick when he outpaced Bell to give himself a clear run on goal. He made a complete mess of his shot and ended up prodding the ball miles wide.

The Bankies got themselves back into the game from the penalty spot when McElroy had his legs taken from him in the box. McCann coolly slotted the ball home to give the ten men a fighting chance.

The best chance the Bankies had to equalise was an angled volley from Paterson. He was in a good position, but he miscued his shot and it ended up a pretty disappointing effort. Cumnock soaked up the pressure and were able to take home the three points.

It games like this that make it hard to see how the Bankies could be genuine title contenders in the future. Good runs are often punctuated with lacklustre performances and this was one of them. The consistency shown by the top two or three sides remains tantalisingly out of reach in the meantime, and as has been shown in recent seasons cup competitions provide the best avenues of success.

Match report written by Stuart McBay