Clydebank 0
Stranraer 3
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Bankies reached a new low in mediocrity at Kilbowie last Wednesday night and in front of a meagre crowd were well beaten by an average second division side, Stranraer.

On this form the large gaps on the terracings shall widen and there is little chance of Bankies in the top six that would ensure them a place in next season's first division.

Never have I seen Clydebank so devoid of ideas. They looked as if they had never played together before and nothing constructive came from them in 90 minutes of frustration for the few fans.

There are question marks over the form of many players who have held down a first team place all season and fighting spirit and effort seem to be sadly lacking in certain quarters.

Surely Mike Larnach, Jimmy Thompson, Billy McColl and Ian Law must be given a chance to prove themselves and a new, fitter Sammy Henderson could spark some life into midfield which is non-existent at the moment.

As for the match against Stranraer we had to wait 25 minutes before anything worthwhile came along, a shot from Abel being held by Taylor at the second attempt.

Typically on this disastrous night for Bankies it was an own goal that opened the scoring. Borland raced down the right wing and his hard cross was headed strongly into the net by Houston who was trying to clear the ball for a corner.

At half-time Hall, who was having a particularly bad match and was hurt just before half-time, was replaced by David Cooper and Houston dropped back to right back. Five minutes later Fanning was hurt in a tackle and replaced by Ian Law.

Law tried to inject life into the home attack but received absolutely no support from his midfield colleagues. The nearest effort to a goal came in the 55th minute when McCallan won a duel in the air with 'keeper Taylor and as the ball bounced he shot toward the empty net. Up stepped Duffy to clear the ball of the line.

Stranraer went into a two-goal lead in 60 minutes when Traynor played a quick one-two at the edge of the box and hammered the ball past Gallagher

McGovern was booked in the 80th minute for a foul on Barrowman, having been warned for a similar incident earlier. Two minutes from time, Bankies' night of shame was complete. Duffy squared a free-kick to Barrowman who was allowed to run unchallenged, gather the ball and shoot into the net.

In a match best forgotten not one of the Bankies' side deserve to retain their place for the next match against Meadowbank Thistle. Stranraer probably were made look better than they actually were but looked good going forward with Traynor and Borland prominent