Clydebank 6
Glenafton Ath 2
League (WoSFL Premier)

Match Report

The Bankies served up a wee end of season treat for the fans after they whacked Glenafton by six goals to two in the penultimate home league game of the season. After the terrible performance during the week at Hurlford, the players owed this to the supporters who had travelled down to Ayrshire on Wednesday, and witnessed one of the worst games this year.

In contrast, this was an entertaining affair with tons of goalmouth action, plenty of goals and, at times, some excellent football. You have to say Glenafton played their part in such an open, expansive match and had the game ended up 10-5 you wouldn’t have been surprised.

Where both sides won’t be so happy is how charitable the defences were. Mistakes played a part in some of the goals and both teams were guilty of some terrible slackness. However, given the nature of how the game panned out and because there was nothing particularly at stake, then this could be mostly forgiven.

Just five of the side who started at Hurlford found their way into the starting eleven this afternoon. It was a welcome return to the line-up for Joe Slattery and Nicky Little . And young Ben McLernan made his first start.

McLernan can be pleased enough with his contribution. It is quite a jump in standards from the level he is used to, but he acquitted himself well for the most part, showing some nice touches, good use of the ball, and a competitive edge when needed. He has certainly done enough to be part of the squad and have more chances to show what he can do.

There were so many chances in the game that it would be best to stick to the goals. The Bankies put themselves in a strong position scoring twice in the first 25 minutes. Alan Kelly scored the first, curling the ball in from the left wing. I doubt it was a shot, but it was well placed into the danger area and everyone including the goalkeeper just stood and watched as the ball evaded any kind of touch and flew into the far corner.

The second came from a lovely passing move that saw Danny MacKenzie lay off the ball for Alan Kelly who cracked in a rocket from the edge of the box which Glavin couldn’t hold. Nicky Little was the fastest to react cracking the ball home. Unfortunately young keeper Glavin was injured trying to stop the ball and had to retire.

Glenafton pulled one back from the penalty spot after the half hour in controversial circumstances. Bankies keeper Donnelly and McMullin appeared to collide going for a cross ball. There didn’t seem to be an awful lot in it, but referee Chris Gentles pointed to the spot. Scott McLean put the ball away, just and no more, as Donnelly guessed the right way but was beaten with the power.

The two goal lead was restored just before the break, when a deft forward chip by Hodge found Gallacher. The flame haired winger danced his way into the penalty box leaving two men in his wake before slotting the ball into the net.

The Bankies continued to let Glenafton back into the game as they conceded again after 53 minutes. Jamie Darroch made an uncharacteristic mistake, as he made a mess of a header putting the ball straight into the path of O’Kane. The forward took the ball on and brought out a great save out from Donnelly who could on parry the ball out to his right hand side where the in-rushing McLean finished off the rebound for his second of the game.

Just seven minutes later the Bankies took control again when Gallacher curled a beauty beyond substitute goalkeeper Burns. It had all been brilliantly set up by Alan Kelly who broke from his own half, outpaced the Glens defence before slipping the ball to Gallacher just inside the box.

The Bankies did not relinquish control this time and went further ahead after 74 minutes when a Glens defender and the goalkeeper got themselves into an almighty fankle, allowing the alert Nicky Little to pounce and stab the ball into the empty net.

The scoring was completed in stoppage time when Ciaran Mulcahy scored a welcome goal, heading home from just outside the six yard box to make it 6-2.

The Bankies moved up to fourth place in the table which is likely to be the finishing position as long as we win one of our last two games. This is where we ended up last season and feels like as much as we could have expected from this group of players. Even turning some of the *too many* defeats into draws wouldn’t have made a drastic difference.

In order to bridge the gap to the top few clubs, the capture of striker Callum Graham from Irvine Meadow earlier in the week has sent out a statement of intent for next season. It was pleasing to see some business completed ahead of time, perhaps something we have been guilty of not doing in the past.

Next week sees the conclusion of the season with a trip to Irvine Meadow and then county rivals Kirkintilloch Rob Roy at Holm Park to round things off.

Match report written by Stuart McBay