Forfar Ath 0
Clydebank 2
League (2nd Division)

Match Report

A record had to go when Bankies travelled to Forfar on league business. The home side were, so far, unbeaten at Station Par, while Bankies impressive 100 per cent away record of four wins (10 Goals for and 0 against) had to be kept intact if they were to stay at the top of the league.

To do this Bankies had to play their usual attacking game and with an unchanged team the immediately set out on the offensive. Davie Cooper was first to set his sights on target when he fired in a 25 yard shot that Miklinski saved well.

The keeper was a busy man and did well to save at Larnach's feet when the centre was about to shoot.

Bankies were well on top for although Forfar played some neat football in midfield, the had nothing to offer in attack and, Roddy McKenzie was seldom troubled.

It was no surprise when Bankies took the lead in the 17th minute. Jim Lumsden pushed the ball upfield where Joe McCallan controlled it and sent a glorious pass ahead of Mike Larnach. He ran between two defenders and carried the ball to the edge of the area before crashing a left foot drive into the corner of the net.

There were half-hearted appeals for offside from the Forfar players and whole-hearted appeals from the home support, but this was a good decision as Mike was well onside when the ball was played through.

The goal sparked some life into the home side and they even managed a corner in the 35th minute, but there was just nothing happening for them up front. On one of the few occasions that they did make headway towards Bankies goal, Norrie Hall ended the attack by pulling down white.

It was not a bad foul but referee Hutton took out the book and Norrie was shown the yellow card. A very harsh decision.

Bankies sealed victory in the 65th minute when an own goal by Left Half Brash ended any hopes Forfar had of a fight back. A long run by Davie Cooper won a throw-in on the left and Ian Browning shied the ball to Mike Larnach, who beat McHugh in the area and crossed low and hard.

Joe McCallan was ready to pounce but Brash lunged in and in an attempt to clear, succeeded only in shooting past his own keeper.

Bankies should have increased their lead before the end but Ian Browning had left his shooting boots in the dug out.

Almost with the last kick of the ball, Sam Goodwin fired in a 25 yard free-kick that scraped the bar. The kick had been awarded for a foul by Brash on Larnach and he was lucky not to be booked. His tackling all through the match certainly lived up to his name and the fact that no action was taken by the referee makes Norrie Hall's booking seem even more harsh.

Bankies next travel to the impressive Meadowbank Stadium for another away fixture against Meadowbank Thistle. At the back of the players' minds must be the humiliating defeat they suffered there last season which ended that fantastic run of victories. However, they are much more professional now and should come back with another two points.