Clydebank 2
Glenafton Ath 2
League (West Region Premiership)

Match Report

Clydebank’s upturn in fortunes continued with a home draw against Glenafton Athletic at Holm Park. The Bankies looked on course for victory when they led through Nicky Little, however a red card for handball by Chris Black gave the visitors a lifeline which they took from the penalty spot. The Glens went in front minutes later before the 10 man Bankies could re-organise, however not to be outdone Nicky Little added his second of the match to give Clydebank a well-deserved point.

There was only one enforced change to the starting line up with Conor Lynass replacing Craig Holmes who was absent due to illness. It was Glenafton who started the brighter of the two sides using the artificial surface to its best advantage by building from the back and playing on the deck as often as possible. This style gave ex-Bankie Joe Andrew two good openings in the early stages. However, both of his shots on the turn were weak and Morrison saved easily.

Clydebank retaliated immediately as Hewitt won a header on the left wing which found Lynass. The winger whipped the ball inside to Nicky Little who made space for himself before curling a great shot that unluckily rebound off the upright.

Glenafton continued to look the better footballing side, but the Bankies slowly imposed themselves on the match and made the better goalscoring chances. Hewitt, who had his best game for the Bankies so far, won another header which Nicky Little pounced on. He cut inside onto his left foot, but his reverse shot slipped narrowly past the post.

The woodwork came to the visitors rescue again after 26 minutes, when a delightful Crossfield pass by McLean was won by McClair. As the ball broke, Chris Black charged through stealing the ball in the process and cracked a thumping drive off the goalkeeper’s left hand post.

Clydebank were now on top and Conor Lynass was next to go close. Wilson charged from his line to clear a dangerous through pass, but he sent it straight to Lynass, The midfielder spotting the keeper off his line he attempted an audacious lob shot which was just off target.

The Bankies lost a bit of their momentum at the start of the second half with Pettigrew going close with a diagonal shot for the visitors not long after the restart.

It was Clydebank who made the breakthrough after 54 minutes slightly against the run of play. Conor Lynass made a tremendous run from his own half before being brought down on the edge of the box. The ref waved play on as the ball broke to Paul Byrne. The defender cracked in a wicked shot that Wilson could only parry into the air. Nicky Little was quickest to react as he bravely headed the ball into the net from close range.

On the hour, a disastrous four minute spell began for the Bankies. Firstly, a cross from the left fell to Park after a couple of failed attempts to clear the ball. The Glens player struck the ball towards the goal which Chris Black stopped by diving to his left hand side. The ref adjudged the Bankies midfielder to have handled the ball and immediately red carded him and awarded a penalty kick, McAusland sent Morrison the wrong way from the spot kick.

Before the Bankies could regroup Glenafton took the lead. A hopeful ball was played forward by Cairns that was headed away by McLean. Unfortunately, the ball only reached Orsi on the edge of the box and he fired a low drive first time past Morrison giving him no chance.

It was an entertaining game now, as Glenafton tried to use the extra man to their advantage and the Bankies looked to exploit any breakaways. Clydebank always looked like they could get something and did so after 72 minutes. Paul Byrne sent a long diagonal pass into the penalty box. Nicky Little superbly controlled the ball on the volley wrong footing a defender in the process. This opened up the goal for the striker and he slipped it past Wilson for a wonderful strike.

The Bankies could have won into minutes later when Cammy McClair played an inch perfect pass to Conor Lynass. With only the keeper to beat the forward will be disappointed to only clatter the ball off the goalkeeper’s legs.

Inevitably, the extra man made it difficult for the Bankies towards the end and Glenafton made a few chances. The best of the bunch was in injury time when Marlow’s awkward looking shot bounced off the top of the crossbar, but this escape brought the match to the end.

Gordon Moffat will be relatively pleased with the last two performances. The players are playing with a bit more confidence and an in-form Nicky Little will cause problems for any side. The players can hopefully take this better form into next week’s cup match against Hurlford to keep alive the Bankies chances of silverware this season.

Match report written by Stuart McBay