Clydebank 2
Cowdenbeath 3
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Bankies should have clinched this game, but they let victory slip through their fingers due to slack play in the second half when they were leading by two goals to one.

Cowdenbeath were always a threat and adopted the same style of football as Bankies - the 4-2-4 formation.

Both teams exhibited good football at times, but to be fair to them, the mud didn't offer much assistance, and by the end of the match, they all resembled coalmen.

In the early minutes of the game, Bankies, benefitting from the wind behind them, almost took the lead through Tony Moy, whose shot narrowly missed the post.

It was the visitors who broke the deadlock in the 8th minute when left-back Mowbray delivered a cross, following a fine run up the wing, allowing Donaldson to score with a splendid diving header.

This unsettled Bankies slightly, and it took some time for them to regain their composure as the visitors piled on the pressure.

Just five minutes before kick-off, Bankies secured the signature of Walter Gerard from Berwick Rangers. Walter, who played as a centre, is a former ES Clydebank player. Walter concluded a Moy move in the 32nd minute when he guided the ball into the net with the keeper well beaten.

Buoyed by this, Bankies struck again four minutes later when Tony Moy found the net from a Russell cross.

A second-half tactical switch by Cowdenbeath paid dividends. A junior trialist, positioned at inside-left, was shifted to the centre and began to pose a significant threat in the Bankies' goal area.

With 60 minutes elapsed, Cowdenbeath levelled the score in a similar fashion to their first goal. This time, right-back Rolland initiated an attacking move on the right wing, crossed the ball, and Clark met it with his head.

Despite their efforts, Bankies couldn't regain control, primarily due to poor passing and the resolute defensive display of the visitors.

Breaking out of their defensive stance with five minutes remaining, the visitors forced a corner, and Junior was on hand to slot the ball past keeper MacLachlan.