Alloa Athletic 1
Clydebank 0
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Bankies faint hopes of first division football next season finally perished in the mud at Alloa last Saturday. They had to take maximum points from their last three games and this looked their easiest task. However a bad defensive slip gifted Alloa the only goal of the game.

There was a surprise for the large travelling support when the teams took to the field. For Bankies had dropped Davie Cooper drafting Ward White on to the wing. Bankies started aggressively down the slope and a head flick by McCallan gave Larnach a great chance but he blasted the ball well over.

What a shock the Bankies received in the 10th minute when Alloa took the lead with their first serious attack of the match. Russell crossed from the left and when Gregor Abel completely mis-kicked in front of goal, Low accepted the gift by tucking the ball away from four yards.

It was a terrible goal to lose and Bankies never really regained their composure. Alloa were content to hold back in defence and with McCallan well marked by his former team mates, Bankies forward line never got going. Caskie did brighten their hopes with a blistering strike from 18 yards in the 20th minute but Whisker rose to touch the ball over the top for a fruitless corner.

In a burst of sustained pressure Bankies should have equalised before the interval. As Caskie broke through he was pulled down by McGarry but despite appeals for a penalty referee Henderson waved play on. The ball broke to McCallan who crossed perfectly for the unmarked Larnach. However from just over six yards range the centre shot over the gaping goal.

The second half was a story of concentrated pressure by Bankies but over-anxiety marred their play and with numerous passes going astray they never produced their best form.

Only Hall, Fallon and Fanning, and Henderson played to form on what was a bad all round day for them. Alloa were just an ordinary team with a strong defence. A tricky winger in Low and the best player afield in ex-Bankie Donnie Wilson who controlled the match from midfield.