Stranraer 0
Clydebank 1
League (2nd Division)

Match Report

Jim Fallon returned to his usual place and Jimmy Caskie - despite his last performance - was dropped for this tough Stranraer game at Stair Park.

The match started at a cracking pace and no sooner was Ritchie racing from goal to block a Mike Larnach shot with his knee than Coulston was heading a Traynor cross narrowly over the bar from a good position.

Exciting end to end football was the order of the day and Larnach took a Cooper pass and hammered in an 18 yard drive that Ritchie did well to turn over the bar. After the first quarter, the home side really applied the pressure and took all of the Bankies' defences iron qualities to keep McCabe and Company at bay. McKenzie brilliantly stopped a 30 yarder from Muir, then bravely dived at McClymont's feet as a dangerous run took him into the area.

Bankies took the lead in the 41st minute with a goal fir to win any game. Dougie Hay made ground upfield and cut in from the left. A cross-field pass was chased to the bye-line by Jim Lumsden whose first time cross was perfect for Joe McCallan to send yet another glorious header into the corner of the net.

The timing of the goal was perfect, for, on the resumption, Stranraer seemed to have lost their competitive edge and Bankies had more of the play. Dougie Hay was now operating in midfield and gaps were appearing in the home defence. McCallan came

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cross and a Hay mis-kick ended what looked a good opportunity for Bankies to increase their lead after Ritchie had lost possession well out of goal.

As the match reached its conclusion, Bankies grew more confident and not only held out comfortably but might even have increased the lead in the dying minutes.They could not, however, cash in on fine leading up work by Lumsden and Henderson.

Bankies will be well pleased with this victory against spirited opposition. McKenzie and Hall were brilliant in defence and Lumsden worked hard in midfield. Up front goal hero Joe McCallan, by lifting his personal tally to eight, established himself as the Division Two leading goalscorer.