Queen of the South 1
Clydebank 3
Spring Cup (Group 6)

Match Report

Twelve hundred fans were treated to a tremendous tussle at Palmerston on Saturday, where after last week's easy victory Bankies made one change bringing Jim Gallacher into goal after his spending all season watching the excellent form of Roddy McKenzie from the stand.

What a difference from the Kilbowie match as Queens started in a flurry. After surviving three early corners the home side pushed forward and seemed full of life. They set up a series of attacking moves playing the ball about well but they found the Bankies defence was equal to their task. Even when they did break through Jim Gallacher was in fine form.

McChesney Linked well with Dempster in the 12th minute and the winger found space to fire in a shot from the left of the box but the big keeper dived to turn the ball for a corner.

Queens continued to look the likelier side and took the lead in the 22nd minute. Miller flighted the ball into the box and Reid was well positioned to shoot home from eight yards.

At this juncture Bankies decided to do some attacking themselves and McCallan shot over the top.

There was a shock for them in the 35th minute when an incredible decision by the referee chalked of a perfectly good goal. As Bankies moved forward the stand-side linesman spotted an infringement and lifted his flag. The referee allowed play to continue and the move ended with Ian Browning blasting shot high into the Queen's net. Bankies joy was short-lived, however, as Mr Kyle consulted his linesman then unbelievably awarded a foul to Clydebank. If ever there was a case for playing the advantage rule it was here but this only made the Bankies even more determined.

On the stroke of half time the deserved equaliser came in spectacular fashion Renton pulled down Jim Lumsden some 35 yards out. Up stepped Billy McColl to send a tremendous shot high into the net.

The goal could not have come at a better time for Bankies and at the start of the second half they were well in command. It took just five minutes for them to go ahead when Jim Lumsden and Joe McCallan combined well on the right of the area and when the skipper's cross was pushed down by Davie Cooper, Ian Browning was on the spot to score from eight yards.

Joe McCallan, who had as always battled hard up front, took a knock on the face and was replaced by Bobby Provan in the 75th minute. Queens also made a substitution replacing internationalist Dickson who had been so insignificant against Jim Fallon that one wondered why the Bankies star has not been in the Scotland team for years.

The substitution proved to be a master stroke for Bankies for with ten minutes left the big man scored the decisive third. Billy Fanning won a long clearance with a positive header to Dougie Hay. His long ball was perfect for Bobby Provan to chest down and hammer a 16 yard drive into the net.

The glory was not to be shared among the goalscorers, however, for with just five minutes to go the referee awarded a penalty to Queens after a 'beautiful' dive by Reid. Dempster hit his shot well enough but Jim Gallacher dived to his left to bring off a great save.

This was a terrific match and another great display from Bankies who looked a very good side and need only one more point to qualify for the latter stages of the cup. With a back four as solid as a rock, a midfield trio who are working hard for each other and setting up chances and a front three full of running and ideas, Bankies are playing very well and full of confidence.