Clydebank 2
Benburb 0
League (West Region Premiership)

Match Report

Aaron Miller’s two headed goals in two minutes were enough to see off battling Benburb and send the Bankies up to fifth in the league table. It will probably be short lived as other clubs have games in hand but it keeps the momentum going as the club have now lost only once in their last seven league games. As storm Dennis battered the country, Holm Park was one of the few venues in Junior football to see any action today and the victory will have cheered up the die-hards who turned out in such atrocious conditions.

One thing you can say about the revamped Holm Park is the playing surface is immaculate, and the pelting rain didn’t seem to affect either side too much. The supporters on the other hand were huddled in little groups, but had no chance as the rain teemed down from start to finish. The cover for the terrace can’t go up soon enough!

Throughout the match there wasn’t an awful lot to choose between the sides. Both teams had spells of possession at varying times, but generally the Bankies always looked to have a little bit more about them in the areas that mattered.

The Bankies had the ball in the net after 17 minutes when Cammy McClair got his knee above the ball to keep his strike from 25 yards low and on target. The ball ricocheted off Aaron Millar into the net wrong footing the goalkeeper, but the striker was in an offside position.

The Bankies were to score twice in a couple of minutes, and literally just moments after Benburb had their best chance in the whole match. A well worked move down the left wing saw the ball crossed deep to the back post. Willie McLaren was unmarked and will be disappointed that he directed his header wide of the goal.

The Bankies took advantage of that miss after 35 minutes. Kyle Munro switched the ball from the left to the right wing for Nicky Little. He waited for Bailey to overlap, but chose to cross the ball himself. It was a great delivery, and Aaron Millar sent the ball home via a combination of his head and shoulder.

Barely a minute later and the same two players teamed up for a similar goal. This time Little sent a great cross to the near post and Millar cut across the goalkeeper and expertly glanced the ball into the net.

Just before the break the Bankies could have wrapped it up. Cammy McClair burst through the Bens defence and rolled the ball into the path of the inrushing Chris Black, but his side footed effort was poor as he hit it straight at Connolly when he had the whole goal to aim for.

The second half saw Benburb have more of the ball as they had to really force the issue, but in truth they never really looked like getting behind the Bankies defence.

If anything, the Bankies may well have increased their lead. The best opportunity came from Kyle Munro who cut in from the right wing and hit a thunderous drive off the face of the crossbar. Nicky Little tried to volley in the rebound but the ball probably came to him too quickly.

With the conditions worsening, most folk were probably glad to hear the final whistle and get home. The Bankies have often been accused of not fancying it when the weather is poor, but four points have been gained in two weeks when the wind and the rain have been horrendous, so great credit to the players for their efforts. The Bankies have probably gained enough points to put any relegation worries to bed, and can now concentrate on finishing as high up the table as they can. It’s Irvine Meadow next week at a ground the Bankies have won on their last three visits, so more of the same.

Match report written by Stuart McBay