Clydebank 2
Albion Rovers 0
League (Division 2)

Match Report

For the Visit of Albion Rovers, Bankies reshuffled their side after last week's disappointing performance against East Stirling. Dougie Hay returned to the midfield with Larnach on the right wing and McColl at centre.

Rovers, fresh from fire consecutive victories, came with the reputation of being high goal scorers and had Britain's top scorer Dickson, who has 29 goals to his credit this season wearing the No. 10 shirt

Bankies started with a flurry and Larnach brought out a fine save from Kryswicky with a shot on the turn from a Henderson free kick.

After this bright start, however, Bankies faded badly and it was difficult to see any pattern in their play. McColl wore the No. 9 shirt but seemed to be operating in no man's land-thus Rovers had most of the play

Playing man-to-man football they applied pressure aided by the wind but thankfully the home defence was on top of its job and the scoring machine never looked really dangerous. Their closest effort was a cross from Coughlin that Fanning headed into his own side netting. But, with the ever alert Gallacher maintaining his fine form there was little for the home support to worry about.

Bankies' attacking play still seemed disjointed although a header from Hay flashed inches over the bar, but they forged ahead in the 36th minute.

Hall was booked for a foul on Coughlin whose resultant free kick was easily gathered by Gallacher, His clearance upfield was brilliantly flicked on by McCallan and Larnach took the ball past Shields, ran in on the keeper and placed a neat shot into the corner of the net.

One hoped that this would settle Bankies but it was Rovers who almost equalised minutes before the interval when Sermanni shot from the edge of the box Jim Gallacher saved well.

Bankies resumed looking better and Kryswicky did well to turn a strong Henderson shot for a corner. Rovers challenge was fading as Bankies applied more pressure and a cross from Larnach was hammered goalward by McCallan bringing out another fine save from Rovers young keeper.

Rovers used both substitutes in a bid to save the match but with top scorer Dickson well policed by Jim Fallon they could make little headway. Dickson's only chance of the match came in the 80th minute when a lucky bounce allowed him a free shot from the edge of the box. However he ballooned the ball over the bar.

In the closing minutes Bankies secured victory when Joe McCallan rose to a Cooper corner and bulleted a header into the back of net.

So Bankies completed their first double of the season and although it was not a completely convincing performance they collected two points at the end of the day that pleased most of their fans.

Jim Fallon once again turned in a masterly display and has no superiors in the art of defending in the whole of the division. It was good to see the immaculate Joe McCallan notch up another goal to his credit for, as usual he was Bankies' best forward.

Tomorrow, Bankies play hosts to Raith Rovers and with two more valuable points to be won an exciting clash is in prospect.