Ayr Utd 0
Clydebank 0
Anglo-Scottish Cup (Preliminary Round 1st Leg)

Match Report

Clydebank travelled to Ayr on Saturday knowing that a good result should set them up well for the kill at Kilbowie or Monday night.

As Willie Munro's pre-match confidence had outlined, the Bankies more than just held the part-timers from the elite league.

It was an interesting match, but it never really created much excitement for the 3,000 fans. The Bankies were under pressure in the early stages and only poor finishing prevented Ayr United from grabbing an early lead against a cautious Clydebank.

The First Division full-timers were shaky in the opening minutes of this first-leg Anglo-Scottish Cup-tie and left plenty of openings for eager Ayr.

Ayr's Graham should have had a goal in the first minute but shot wildly over and then two corners after bad mistakes by the Bankies defence were headed over.

Bankies began to grow in stature and before long they were overrunning the tired homesters. McCallan sent Larnach through, but the striker mis-hit his effort and Sproat saved well. McCallan had a chance himself but his well-timed header passed over the wrong side of the crossbar.

Cooper then tried to put Clydebank ahead with a clever run at the half hour mark. He rounded three Ayr defenders before lashing a left foot - shot from the 18 yard line, which just passed the post. Next minute it was the Clydebank winger again who thundered a 35-yard free kick high over the crossbar.

Ayr tell out of the game in the closing stages of the first half and the First Division team took over. They tied up the midfield and the Clydebank forwards began to find themselves with more shooting opportunities - but could not hit the back of the net.

If any side were going to score it was Clydebank, but they got a real shock in the shape and form of a Wells crack-shot which prompted Jim Gallagher to bring off a magnificent save.

So, with no goals on the scoresheet, Bankies must have fancy their chances for the return game at Kilbowie and qualifying for the chance to have a crack at a top English side.