Petershill 1
Clydebank 4
League (WoSFL Premier)

Match Report

Gordon Moffat made sweeping changes to the error strewn team that lost so badly at Pollok last week with only three players retaining their starting positions. Nicky Little, Lee Gallacher and Frazer Johnstone were the only ones to survive the cull. Even, the tried and tested formation was given the chop for a 3-5-2 which gave more stability in defence and an outlet in wide positions that offered more attacking options particularly in the last twenty minutes.

The outcome was a handsome victory at bottom side Petershill which was well deserved if maybe just a little flattering on the scoreline front. In terms of personnel the main changes were the inclusion of loanee goalkeeper Josh Bradley-Hurst from Clyde and Connor Higgins being given his chance, starting for the first time since the first league game of the season at Arthurlie.

The Bankies took a little bit of time to settle into the new formation, but once they took the lead in the 17th minute they dominated for a good period and should have further increased their lead.

Prior to the goal, Aidan MacDonald missed a bit of a sitter when a corner kick into the box came off the back of a Petershill defender, and landed at his feet. He swung at the ball first time, but he hooked it wide of the post when he should really have scored.

The opener came just minutes later, and one thing you can’t deny about Connor Higgins is that he has one hell of a shot on him. Out on the left with no business shooting, he caught everyone by surprise with an absolute thunderbolt that beat the keeper but smashed off the crossbar. Chris Black was the lucky recipient of the rebound sticking it away with ease.

A second goal looked on the cards with a few near things not coming to fruition, but Chris Black should have doubled the lead when he was allowed to run through on goal from a suspiciously offside position. I don’t know what he was thinking about as he tried to arrow the ball into the top corner, rather than just beating the keeper, but his crazy effort sailed a few inches above the junction of bar and post.

With the second goal not forthcoming Petershill had a good end to the first half, and we got a first look at keeper Bradley-Hurst. He saved comfortably a forty yard free kick from Ferns. Then, the same player saw a well delivered corner kick bounce off the top of the bar.

Ferns’ deliveries from dead ball situations were excellent throughout the game, and it was from one of his corner kicks that the equaliser came. A dangerous near post cross was only partially cleared, and similar to one of the goals Pollok scored last week the ensuing melee saw the ball netted from close range by Leitch.

The home side could have went into the break in the lead right on the stroke of half time when Bradley-Hurst couldn’t hold a 25 yard shot, but was quick to recover and block from Cappie.

The second half was pretty much a one-sided affair, barring a five minute spell about half way through when Petershill had a flurry of corners causing problems from the deliveries of Eddie Ferns.

By this point the Bankies were already ahead after they got off to a perfect start when they took the lead from the penalty spot just three minutes in. Chris Black was clearly brought down in the box as he made his way along the bye line, and Nicky Little was his usual professional self in putting the ball away.

Shortly after, the Bankies missed another sitter, when Ciaran Mulcahy found himself ahead of the Peasy defence. He took his time, and rolled the ball across the goalmouth for the incoming Larry McMahon. Although on his weaker foot, he should have done better than hitting the outside of the post with his shot.

The Bankies made further openings without anything being particularly clear cut. Mulcahy had a couple of chances, one from a near post header which went wide under defensive pressure, and another when he beat his man on the outer edge of the six yard box, but his shot was from a tight angle and McNeil reacted well to save.

It was only in the final ten minutes that the Bankies were finding more space in the wide areas, and fresh legs from the bench saw the advantage finally hammered home.

The third goal came from a run down the left wing by Connor Higgins. He squared the ball low into the box for Nicky Little, but keeper McNeil was able to block the initial effort, but could do nothing about the follow up from Frazer Johnstone netting his first ever competitive goal for the club.

The game was wrapped up near the end with Josh Weir netting his fourth of the season when he charged down a slack pass in the home defence and smacked the ball beyond McNeil to complete the scoring.

The Bankies have now beaten all three promoted teams in the league this season away from home, and have a looked a cut above scoring ten goals in the process. They now need to take this level of performance into the games against higher rated opposition.

We have had a problem conceding too many goals this season, and it will be interesting to see if the formation used today survives against better sides. The centre of defence looked much more secure today with three at the back, however they will have stiffer tests than they had today.

Next week, Largs Thistle visit Holm Park and the Seasiders have been a bit up and down – a bit like ourselves. This is another game that we need to looking to win all three points from to get up challenging at the right end of the table.

Match report written by Stuart McBay