Clydebank 3
Rangers 'B' 3
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Match Report

Flashing blue jerseys failed to deter this ultra-bright young Bankies side at Kilbowie on Monday night. Rangers drew first blood and yet Clydebank came back and went onto the second half leading 2-1. In fact, had it not been for a rather stupid penalty, Bankies may have pulled off a win.

Rangers opened the match the stronger team. The Clydebank players seemed to shrink back from the glare of the blue jerseys for the first few minutes, until they realised that even the Gers are only human.

But they were shocked when centre forward Mullen hammered home a Stevenson pass in the seventh minute.

Big Alan Munro of Clydebank as usual, was chasing everything and anything that went near the Rangers goal. On several occasions these tactic came very near to paying off, but didn’t, due to little German keeper Neef of Rangers who showed amazing prowess in goal.

Clydebank’s first goal – the equaliser came in the 40th minute when Jimmy Caskie ran onto a McGunnigle cross from the right wing, and sent a very fast ball past keeper Neef.

Following up quickly, Caskie did it again five minutes later, on the half time whistle, to put Clydebank into the lead when he blasted in a long shot from the left wing.

The Ibrox side made a couple of changes for the second half. Left back Keddie was taken off and replaced by Alfie Conn. Alex Miller moved to left back and Conn took over at inside left.

Conn took only five minutes to score the equaliser. He surprised the Clydebank defence by running in with the ball and sending a low one into the Clydebank goal. McDonald didn’t even see it coming.

With Rangers back on terms, I expected Clydebank to fall away as they have done on the past. But they took on a fluency in passing and teamwork which would have done any First Division team proud.

Gerry O’Brien, playing at inside right, was working wonders with the ball, and he put Clydebank into the lead again in the 69th minute when he ran through the Rangers penalty area, dummied the right back Stirling and hammered the ball past Neef.

This kid has it in him. If only he would show it more often. The latent energy in his boots, as with young Jim Caskie, must be tremendous.

Caskie raised a cheer from the crowd a minute later when he took the ball down the left on a solo run. He was moving very fast and ran the ball to a very acute angle before he shot. The ball crossed the goalmouth and Alan Munro ran into meet it Nut he was beaten for speed.

The equaliser came to Rangers in the 73rd minute when Conn was brought down inside the box. The penalty was taken by Miller, who sent it into the centre of the net.

An unfortunate repercussion of this incident was that Jimmy Caskie had his name taken for speaking to the linesman.

Fifteen minutes from time K. Watson who had been running around with a heavily plastered eye, had to come off. His place was taken by Substitute, Clyde.

Douglas Hay was booked a minute later after a scuffle on the right.

Both teams put up a tremendous display, right up to the final whistle. The youngsters of Clydebank certainly have a lot of rough edges which only experience can smooth off. But one must remember that the average age of this team was less than 18. The potential danger is terrific, and the one thing they don’t lack is guts.