Clydebank 3
Alloa Athletic 1
League (2nd Division)

Match Report

Almost 3000 fans braved the elements at Kilbowie Park for this game, which turned out to be a tremendous fight. The floodlights were on from the kick-off due to the wet misty conditions.

League leaders, Clydebank, with Provan at centre half for the injured Sam Goodwin, and Billy McColl fit again on the bench, played hosts to second place Alloa, and spectators were treated to a real humdinger of a match.

Bankies made a whirlwind start and, urged on by their noisy support they set their sights firmly on Thompson's goal. Davie Cooper looked to be in the mood and a great run was halted illegally when McGarry pulled him down. From the resultant free kick the winger lashed a 30yard drive just over the bar.

Mike Larnach also tested the keeper as Bankies went all out but Alloa were fighting like tigers, tackling hard and quickly, and counter attacking swiftly. Indeed left winger Morrison showed his teeth a little too much in the 10th minute and was rightly booked for a lunge at Roddy McKenzie.

The game was being played at a cracking pace and no sooner had Wilkinson hammered a 35 yard shot narrowly wide at one end, than Joe McCallan was belting a drive just over the top at the other.

It looked as though the first goal could be decisive and in duly arrived in the 20th minute. Joe McCallan flicked the ball on to Mike Larnach and with his back to goal, and as the Bankies striker tried to manoeuvre into position for a shot, Miller seemed to panic and foolishly handled the ball. Referee Davidson had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Davie Cooper blasted the ball into the rigging.

This goal settled Bankies but plucky Alloa had no intention of accepting defeat just yet and should have equalised on the half hour mark. Hesitancy in the home defence gifted Morrison a shot at goal but he blasted wide when it looked easier to score.

The hectic pace was maintained right to the interval and this exciting first half ended with Thompson diving to punch a Larnach shot into the side netting.

On the resumption, Bankies held the initiative and increased their lead with a brilliant second goal in the 48th minute. Mike Larnach played off a cross to Davie Cooper who smashed a left foot drive in off the far post. As the home players mobbed the hero of the moment, Alloa's centre was booked for complaining about something that only he knows.

Worse was to follow, however, for as the Wasps buzzed away around the Bankies goal in an effort to reduce the leeway, the centre did his team-mates no good at all by stupidly arguing with the referee again and he was promptly shown his way to the dressing room.

Bankies were knocking the ball about stylishly now and looked a very polished team. The gallant men from Alloa, However, still kept trying and Lowe, a brilliant winger, crossed perfectly for Miller but he saw his shot well saved by the immaculate Roddy McKenzie.

The visitors used both subs in a desperate bid to salvage the match. but it was Bankies who tied the game up in the 78th minute. As the ball came into the area Norrie Hall was fouled and, after what seemed an age, referee Davidson pointed to the spot. Davie Cooper duly completed his hat trick by cracking a left footer that almost uprooted the net.

The game was almost over now but Alloa scored a deserved consolation goal in the 80th minute when Bobby Davidson awarded the third penalty of the match. Hall pulled down former team mate Donnie Wilson and Campbell gave McKenzie no chance from the spot.

The final whistle brought roars of delight from the home support who thoroughly enjoyed this great advert for Scottish football. Against a good side Bankies had won deservedly and now have a five point lead at the top of the league at the halfway stage. There were many good players on both sides but no doubt at all who was the star. Davie Cooper capped a great match with a brilliant hat trick, the first scored by a Bankies player for over two years!

Local fans have the chance to turn up in greater numbers when Bankies next play hosts to Berwick Rangers. A repeat of the 4-0 scoreline when the teams met earlier in the season would do very nicely.