Clydebank 1
Berwick Rangers 2
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Two home wins in succession, the visit of fourth top Berwick Rangers and a warm spring afternoon failed to attract more than 700 spectators for this league clash.

As expected Joe McCallan replaced Ward White at inside left in an otherwise unchanged Clydebank team.

Perhaps the fans who stayed away showed good judgment for this game never rose above mediocrity. Neither side seemed able to control the ball on the fiery pitch that provided many an awkward bounce.

In the first half Bankies had the edge on attack but too often the forwards broke down on the 18 yard line - or possible openings were wasted by the apparent lack of ability to cross the ball accurately from either wing.

A 20 yard shot from Hughes after 20 minutes that flew just wide of the post, and a strong Roxburgh shot which suffered the same fate were the nearest the home side came to scoring until minutes before half time.

Then McCallan - easily Clydebank's best forward - took advantage a mix up between keeper Lyle and McDowell in the visitors penalty area. He slid a perfect pass to Roxburgh who from only six yards out succeeded only in striking Davidson who stood alone on the goal line. The ball rebounded to Hughes who shot past the empty net.

Berwick's few constructive contributions to this half, which was instantly forgettable, came from Hall and Georgeson, both having shots saved by Gallacher

Second half

Berwick started the second half much more lively and forced three corners in quick succession. From the third of these taken by outside left Armstrong in the 48th minute, McCabe rose above the home defence and headed strongly into the net.

This acted as a spur to Berwick who took command, but Bankies fought back and from a Gilmour cross in 55 minutes Hughes flighted a neat header past Lyle for the equaliser.

Immediately after this, Bankies replaced an off-form Roxburgh with Mike Larnach and Ward White replaced McGovern, who had contributed little or nothing to the game. The substitutes did nothing to spur the home side who were playing with a distinct lack of urgency.

In 67 minutes Berwick replaced Armstrong with Tait and he arrived just as McDowell was booked for fouling Larnach as he raced clear. From the resultant free kick by Larnach, McDowell blatantly pushed Hughes well inside the penalty box and was a lucky man indeed that Referee Greenlees was the only man in the ground who did not see the infringement.

The 78th minute brought a shock for Bankies. Their defence failed to clear the ball and when it broke to Laing he raced into the penalty area and his low accurate cross was turned home by Hall.

This proved to be the winning goal and Berwick must have left the park rather embarrassed that their performance had won them two points.

Frankly neither team deserved to win and did little to enhance their reputations, indeed the spectators must have been grateful that at least the weather was good.

There were few good players on view but McQuade, Davidson and Hall for Berwick and Hall, Fallon and McCallan for Clydebank need not be too ashamed to collect their wages.