Clydebank 2
Cumbernauld Colts 0
Friendly

Match Report

Clydebank’s extended pre-season schedule continued with an impressive 2-0 victory over Cumbernauld Colts from the Lowland League thanks to goals from Joe Slattery and a Ross McPherson.

On paper, this was definitely the Bankies toughest test yet, and for much of the first half it turned out that way. However, once Slattery gave the home team the lead there was no looking back and the Bankies dominated from there on in and could have scored more than the two they did get.

Cumbernauld Colts played well in the opening stages and despite not troubling Donnelly in the Bankies goal they were certainly more than a match for their hosts. They were particularly potent down the left hand side with Grant posing a number of problems, however the final pass was lacking.

Despite not starting well, it was Clydebank who had the goal scoring opportunities. Ross McPherson cracked a fantastic first time diagonal shot off the post from the angle of the penalty box which had George beaten. Then, Nicky Little let himself down when clean through on the Colts keeper by blasting the ball straight at him.

Colts had their first real chance after 27 minutes from a deep corner kick which Kirwan met at the back post, but his header drifted wide of the post. Barely a minute later Clydebank took the lead at the other end from a neat move when the ball was knocked down at the back stick by McPherson. Joe Slattery was the quickest to react as he nipped in front of a defender and stabbed the ball home at George’s near post.
This seemed to mortally wound the Colts as they never found another foothold for the rest of the match as the Bankies grew in stature and imposed themselves in all areas of the pitch.

The second half was only a couple of minutes old when the killer second goal was added. A free kick was given 25 yards plus from the goal, and Ross McPherson was the obvious choice to take it given his track record. He did not disappoint as he hit the ball perfectly into the top corner of the goal.

Nicky Little was quiet for the most part, but could easily have got on the scoresheet on a number of occasions. Firstly, his clever attempt at lobbing the goalkeeper from all of 45 yards was only marginally off target. Then, he superbly won the ball just outside the penalty box, swivelled and immediately shot at goal. He was even more unlucky this time as ball rattled the crossbar.

This was probably the Bankies most important challenge match so far as Cumbernauld are easily the strongest opposition that Moffatt’s men have faced. The most impressive part was seeing the players maintain the high press right to the final whistle. There were times in the second half when Colts looked out of ideas of how to get out of their own half. Clydebank sides of the past were guilty of losing the midfield battle, and this shows it is just as important what you do when you don’t have the ball as it is when you do have it. The friendlies continue on Tuesday when the Bankies face Glasgow University.

Match report written by Stuart McBay