Stirling Albion 3
Clydebank 3
League (Division 2)

Match Report

This was, without a doubt, Bankies' best all-round team display of the season. They played good, cohesive football and only one 10-minute spell robbed them of victory, when their defence fell away.

Bankies made two changes for their visit to Stirling, who are riding high in the top six of the league. Joe McCallan made a welcome return after injury and Billy McColl slotted into midfield. They replaced Gilmour and Ian Currie, who was transferred to Hamilton on Thursday.

In the first half, Bankies-playing uphill and against a full-strength Albion-produced their best display for many a long day.

They took an early lead in the fifth minute when Jim Fallon hammered a rocket against the bar and Peter Kane followed up to head home.

Stirling's forwards found Bankies' defence in fine form and could make little headway. They came close when Gallacher dived to turn a Lawson shot for a corner, from which Duffin headed wide.

Back came Bankies and they deservedly increased their lead in 18 minutes with a brilliantly worked goal. Peter Kane side-stepped Jones, then flighted a perfect cross into the box, where Joe McCallan outjumped the home defence to head home a splendid goal.

At this stage Bankies were playing their best football of the season. The defence was sound, the midfield work was immeasurably better than of late and up front the strikers were causing plenty of bother to the home defence, with Kane an inspired leader.

Minutes before half-time Abel was booked after pulling back McPhee. This seemed a rather harsh decision by the referee and was the only sour note of an excellent 45 minutes for Bankies.

Bankies looked confident at the start of the second half as they tried to increase their lead and attacked downhill. They received a set-back however in the 50th minute when Stirling scored a rather lucky goal.

Gallacher had a weak shot from McPhee covered all the way until it struck Lawson and was diverted into the corner of the net.

Bankies were not going to let this upset them and they increased their lead five minutes later. A brilliant run by Jim Fallon ended with a corner on the right and David Cooper moved across to take the kick. His cross was cheekily dummied at the near post by Kane and there - of all people - was Norrie Hall, who blasted the ball high into the net from a few yards.

This sparked Stirling into action and, in a great fight-back, they scored two goals inside five minutes to draw level.

A fine pass by Murphy let McPhee in to score with a low shot in the 70th minute and, with the Bankies' defence reeling under such pressure, Steele grabbed the equaliser, shooting home in a goalmouth scramble.

After this, both sides came close to snatching the winner and with the last kick of the ball only a fine diving save by Young prevented Peter Kane from scoring a dramatic winner.

This was a great match and thoroughly entertaining for the 600 fans.

Willie Munro will be much more satisfied with this fighting display and although everyone played their part one must single out two players for special mention. Peter Kane was an inspiration to his mates and had a hand in all the goals. Secondly, what a player Jim Fallon is to have on your side. He was magnificent in defence and attack and one hopes that one day one of his tremendous shots will find the back of the net-no one deserves it more.