Clydebank 3
Cowdenbeath 0
League (2nd Division)

Match Report

Clydebank faced what looked to be an easy match when they lined up against Cowdenbeath, they team they had already beaten twice in the League Cup. Bankies biggest problem was to try and put the memory of the Firhill disaster out of their minds and return to their winning ways. Their cause was not helped by Jim Fallon missing out with his leg injury and to compensate for this Dougie Hay moved into the back four with Jimmy Caskie returning to the left wing.

The opening stage saw Bankies with 90% of the play but unable to move into top gear, thus the Fifers defence was on top. Cooper fired in a twenty yarder from a free kick that was just wide of the post, but keeper Wilson was seldom troubled.

With their first really constructive move of the match, Bankies took the lead in the 17th minute. Henderson sent Caskie scurrying down the left wing and he outfoxed Callaghan on the bye-line before crossing into the area. Joe McCallan, with his back to goal, turned in a flash and hooked a left foot shot into the corner of the net in fine style.

This goal settled the homesters and they began to buzz. Larnach gave Caskie a chance but he shot wide from 18 yards. Then, a brilliant pass by McCallan sent Henderson bursting through the middle only to see Wilson block his 20 yard drive.

Bankies went two up in the 23rd minute. Caskie floated over a cross from the left and there was the golden head of McCallan high above the defence to head into the corner of the net. This was Joe's first double since joining the Bankies and, as they continued to press, his hat-trick looked very much on.

A Larnach - Caskie move gave McCallan a chance but he shot wide; then in the 38th minute, Bankies' ace striker had only himself to blame for failing to notch his third. Picking up a Cooper cross, he forced his way past two defenders, then shot wide from only six yards.

During the entire first half Cowdenbeath failed to trouble Roddy McKenzie who had only the occasional pass-back to deal with; in fact,one felt that he might well have paid admission money so much was he a spectator.

Bankies surprisingly slackened off at the start of the second half and Cowdenbeath came more into the match. Indeed they even managed a shot at goal in the 52nd minute when Harrow saw his effort easily gathered by McKenzie.

In a burst of activity, Bankies were desperately unlucky when Caskie rose to a Lumsden cross and watched in disbelief as the ball rebounded from the inside of the post into Wilson's hands.

The home support was growing restless as Bankies allowed their opponents much more of the ball and, although they seldom looked dangerous, the crowd wanted more goals. Cooper brought the Game back to life in the 67th minute with a great run from deep in his own half that ended with an 18yard drive that went inches wide of the post.

In the 70th minute, the unrest on the terracing was forgotten as Caskie notched Bankies third. Abel, up in support of his forwards, pushed the ball onto the patch of Caskie and the winger placed a perfect shot into the corner well out of Wilson's reach.

Bankies seemed to settle for this three goal lead and their complacency was almost punished in the closing minutes when the Fifers came close on two occasions.Firstly, Simpson fires a rocket 30 yard shot that brought a brilliant save from McKenzie, tipping the ball over the bar for the visitors first corner of the match.Then slackness in the home defence left Harrow a gift. But, from only a few yards range, he shot wide when it looked easier to score.

This victory see Bankies sitting proudly at the top of the league with maximum points from three matches, and still to concede a goal.

They were never in any trouble against a poor Cowdenbeath side, but the fans would have been happier to see a few more goals, rather than slacked off once the match was won.

Hall, Hay, Henderson and McCallan played well throughout and a special word of praise for Jimmy Caskie who fitted into the side well and played aggressively all through the 90 minutes. Making two and scoring the third was a deserved reward and a strong claim for an extended run in the team.

Bankies now face two tough away matches at Stranraer, the Berwick the following week. Four points would be a fine achievement and one that is not beyond the capabilities.