Match Report
Clydebank rounded off the Autumn Series of the Combined Reserve League in style with a convincing 5-1 victory over Rangers Reserves at Kilbowie, a result that saw the Bankies finish level on points with East Fife Reserves and secure the title on goal average.
Although officially Rangers' home fixture, the match was played at Kilbowie and attracted a crowd of around 1,000 supporters eager to see whether Clydebank could complete a remarkable first half of the season.
The difficult conditions made flowing football hard to produce, particularly in the centre of the pitch where the surface had become increasingly boggy. Nevertheless, both sides attempted to play constructive football, with Clydebank looking the more threatening whenever they moved forward.
The Bankies were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead after 21 minutes when Tom Connelly was fouled inside the penalty area. Joe Rankin stepped up to take the spot-kick, but sent his effort over the crossbar.
The miss proved only a temporary setback. Eleven minutes later Alan McLeish produced a goal of outstanding quality. From more than 40 yards out on the right wing, he struck a shot which sailed over goalkeeper Eadie and dropped into the net. The effort drew enthusiastic applause from the Kilbowie crowd and was widely regarded as the finest goal of the afternoon.
Clydebank continued to create chances before the interval, with McLeish and McGhee providing a steady supply of crosses and opportunities for Connelly, Moy and Rankin, but the home side had to settle for a single-goal advantage at the break.
After the restart, Clydebank tightened their grip on the contest. Rankin came close from an indirect free-kick when his header clipped the crossbar, while Rangers threatened briefly through Reid, whose powerful effort also struck the woodwork.
The decisive second goal arrived after 67 minutes when a loose ball broke kindly for Connelly, who drove an unstoppable shot beyond Eadie.
Connelly struck again eleven minutes later, this time from 15 yards, to effectively put the result beyond doubt.
The goals continued to flow. Within a minute, Tony Moy converted a penalty to make it 4-0, succeeding where Rankin had failed earlier in the match.
Rangers finally found a reply in the 80th minute when Paul scored from close range, but any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished. Five minutes later Eddie Jenkins completed the scoring with a low shot that slipped beyond Eadie's grasp and into the net.
The final whistle confirmed not only a comprehensive victory but also a successful conclusion to Clydebank's first autumn campaign as a senior club. The young side had exceeded expectations throughout the series and their title-winning finish provided further encouragement that the club was moving in the right direction.
Match report written by Stuart McBay
