Clydebank 3
Kirk Rob Roy 1
League (Super Premier Division)

Match Report

Clydebank took another massive step towards Premier League safety with a fine 3-1 victory over county rivals Kirkintilloch Rob Roy at Holm Park. Star of the show was John Cunningham who grabbed a hat trick, but at the other end Marc Waters almost certainly deserves equal billing after making a raft of super saves to keep the Bankies in the game when the scores were level.

Injuries meant that the cupboard was threadbare so some changes were made to the starting line-up with Cunningham, Watt and Pearson recalled with Vezza, Alexander and McClair on the bench. The Bankies made a stunning start to the game with Josh Watt causing the visiting defence a whole host of problems. A goal should have been scored in the first minute when three attempts were thwarted by McKinven, with Cunningham half falling over the ball from only a few yards out. The frustration only lasted 6 more minutes as the Bankies took the lead. Pearson poked the ball down the wing to Watt who delivered a perfect cross ball from the right wing which was decisively headed home by Cunningham from six yards.

The Bankies looked great for the first 15 minutes, but it was almost as if somebody hit Rob Roy’s ON switch, as they completely took over. Waters made a couple of fine saves as the Bankies suddenly were under pressure. After 22 minutes Rob Roy were awarded a penalty on the edge of the box as Dooley was adjudged to have fouled a Kirkintilloch forward. It looked incredibly soft from my vantage point as the Rabs player didn’t half make the most of it. Waters had saved his first two penalties for the Bankies, but not this time as Carroll put the ball away easily.

Kirkintilloch dominated the rest of the half and it was somewhat of a relief to go in at the break on level terms, as the Bankies goal led a charmed life. The second half resumed in much the same way until a moment of magic by Ross Forsyth turned the game. He broke quickly from his own half, and he outwitted four Kirkintilloch defenders with a neat drag inside. This suddenly opened up the whole pitch and he played a wonderful pass to John Cunningham. He seemed to lose control of the ball momentarily but he regained his composure to sweep the ball past McKinven.

From this point the Bankies played much better, as the game opened up. The Bankies were further aided by Gary McCulloch who was given a straight red card after 64 minutes when he scythed Jordan Shelvey to the ground.

John Cunningham completed his hat trick with 12 minutes remaining when he ran on to a through ball. He showed great composure to hold off two defenders to calmly slot the ball low into the net.

In fairness to Rob Roy, they will feel that they should have taken something from the game. Waters made at least three top saves, they missed the goal completely with two other gilt edged chances, and they just didn’t get the break of the ball in the box, as the Bankies were the beneficiaries of some kind ricochets.

The Bankies now move up to 17 points and one more win but possibly two should be enough to stay in the league for next season. Just like Saturday, the players showed great resolve particularly in the tricky period at the end of the first half when they were under a lot of pressure. The second goal seemed to fuel the belief and it was an entertaining match once the game opened up. Best Bankies on a horribly cold night were Hat trick hero John Cunningham, Keeper Marc Waters once again, and honourable mentions for Darroch, Forsyth and for the first fifteen minutes of the game Josh Watt.

Match report written by Stuart McBay