Clydebank 7
Gartcairn 0
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Match Report

Kieran McAnespie must be very encouraged with the Bankies pre-season form, as he saw his team wipe the floor with Gartcairn scoring seven times without reply. Nicky Little and Aaron Millar both notched hat tricks and Conor Lynass got the other from a free kick. It has been a great idea to play four quick fire friendlies on the new artificial surface to acclimatise the players and they already look very comfortable. It would seem that McAnespie’s biggest problem is who to leave out when the real stuff starts. There are well established players who could find their place in the starting eleven in jeopardy.

Gartcairn were ideal opponents as they were promoted in style from League One into the Championship last season, losing only twice in 30 matches. However, the Bankies were miles ahead in every department. The fitness levels appear to have gone up another notch and the incessant pressing of the opposition has been reaping dividends.

There were so many chances created that it is best just to stick to the ones that were converted. Goal number one came after 16 minutes when Conor Lynass delivered a top quality corner kick into the six yard box. The keeper punched it out to McLean who cleverly head it back across the area where Nicky Little was waiting to crack a delicious volley into the top corner from ten yards.

The second followed ten minutes later and this was as good a team goal you are likely to see. There were at a least a dozen passes which had the Gartcairn defence chasing shadows. It came to the inevitable conclusion when Millar neatly laid the ball off to Little who placed the ball into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

It was three just three minutes further on when the Gartcairn number 2 got the ball tangled in his legs. Aaron Millar was alert, stole the ball raced into the box and slid it past the keeper via the inside of the post.

Conor Lynass set up number four after 37 minutes with yet another fine corner kick. This time it was to the back post where Nicky Little headed the ball back across goal. Millar was in the right place to nod the ball home from close range.

The fifth goal came shortly after the break when Conor Lynass showed that his dead ball skills extend to free kicks. Little was fouled just outside the box on the left hand side, and the Bankies new signing curled a beauty into the goalkeeper’s right hand top corner.

The 56th minute saw goal number six arrive and gave Nicky Little a well deserved hat trick. A long ball over the top caught the Gartcairn defence sleeping. Little ran clear on the keeper, rounded him and slammed the ball into the net.

The game understandably lulled after this but the Bankies did manage to add a seventh near the end. Millar took his tally to seven in the pre-season period by grabbing his second hat trick by scoring an identikit goal to Nicky Little’s third goal, except rounding the keeper on the other side.

It is hard not to get a little bit excited by the attitude, fitness and application from the players thus far. The squad looks much stronger than last season, with the existing players upping their game. However, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. Until we see the team in action against clubs at our own level we won’t know for sure if this side has the ability to go further than last season. The Bankies are red hot favourites to qualify from their League Cup group, starting on Saturday, with all three opponents in the bottom division. These games give the players the opportunity to set down a marker for the season ahead.

Match report written by Stuart McBay