Kirk Rob Roy 0
Clydebank 3
League (WoSFL Premier)

Match Report

Two goals in two minutes prior to half time killed this game stone dead, as the Bankies coasted home by three goals to nil in this West of Scotland League fixture against a poor Kirkintilloch Rob Roy side. This was once one of the top games in the calendar for Clydebank, but there has been a noticable gulf between the clubs in recent times with the Bankies recording ten wins from the last thirteen meetings.

The Bankies squad was a little on the threadbare side due to injuries and holidays, meaning only 16 players were available for selection. This meant that MacKenzie, Slattery and McGonigle were all handed starting berths with Under 20s keeper Lucas Ross on the bench.

The wave of confidence that has been carrying Clydebank through recent matches was in evidence right from the kick off as the home side were pushed deep in their own half.

Nicky Low’s through ball deceived the Roy defence after four minutes giving Thomas Collins his first sight of goal. Keeper Aitken did well to block the initial shot, and there were huge yells for a penalty kick as Collins went down as he attempted to retrieve the rebound, but referee Murdoch was having none of it.

Clydebank kept up the early pressure and Rob Roy’s ill-thought out plan of passing from their own penalty box was soon exposed when they gave the ball away too easily. Nicky Low received the ball quickly just inside the centre circle and his 50 yard lob almost embarrassed the Rob Roy keeper, but luckily for him the ball dropped over the wrong side of the cross bar.

Further shots at goal came from Nicky Low and Joe Slattery, both of which cleared the crossbar, before there was a mid-half drinks break, due to the unseasonable hot weather for September.

When the game resumed the Bankies lost their way a little as Rob Roy had their best spell of the match and for the first time the visitors knew they were in a game. Michael Baber had a powerful shot go over the bar after he got a lucky break of the ball after 28 minutes, but perhaps their best chance came just four minutes before the interval from the same player.

Oisin McHugh carelessly gave the ball away, and Baber reacted quickly and shot on the spin. The ball caused Hughes in the Bankies goal enough concern as he scrambled across his goal-line but fortunately the ball went wide of the post.

Rob Roy must have thought they had weathered the early storm and had shown enough to go into the break all square, but they were in for a double disaster.

Lee Gallacher retrieved the ball from a cross ball that ran out to the touchline. The flame haired winger made space around a defender and whipped the ball to the back post for Nicky Little to nod into the top corner with relative ease.

Just two minutes later, and Gallacher was heavily involved again as he placed the ball for the unmarked James Grant to deliver a near post cross for Thomas Collins to glance the ball perfectly into the far post beyond Aitken.

The game appeared to be done and dusted, as Rob Roy didn’t look as if they had enough about them to get back into the match. And this was borne out by what followed in the second half.

The Bankies won’t have an easier game all season, as they were in perfect control from start to finish of the second period. The players held their shape and gave Rob Roy nothing, and attacked as and when required. It actually made the contest a bit of a damp squib.

The nearest the Roy came to the Bankies goal was from a long free kick that was nodded towards the goal. Oisin McHugh ran in front of the ball and ushered it out to the side with the minimum of fuss.

It was in the later stages that Clydebank started to open up the home side on the break. Thomas Collins sent a neat through ball to Nicky Little, but his chipped effort came off the side netting with Aitken beaten.

The substitutes then began to make their presence felt. Larry McMahon who had come on for the injured Joe Slattery after just 30 minutes had been influential throughout, and Darroch, Graham and Kelly all contributed

It was the latter of those four who complete the scoring, when he worked a great one-two with fellow substitute Callum Graham and found the corner of the net with a fine curling shot from the edge of the box.

Callum Graham will have to wait a little longer for his first competitive goal, as he was denied by keeper Aitken who saved not once, but twice from the big striker.

The Bankies wrapped up another great three points at Guys Meadow against a side who can cause problems on their day. With all the main challengers all having good wins today, it was vital that Clydebank do likewise.

The stand out player was Nicky Low once again. He has really stepped up to the plate in recent times and a lot of the good stuff coming from the Bankies is coming through him. Others worthy of mention were James Grant playing on his favoured right back slot. He along with Thomas Collins have really delivered since they joined the club. Larry McMahon has had to be patient for game time but he can be pleased with his 60 minutes today.

The league takes a back seat for the next two weeks beginning with unbeaten Beith Juniors coming to Holm Park in the South Challenge Cup. Arguably, this is a meeting of the two form clubs in the league and should be a cracker. Bankies boss Gordon Moffat has warned that player availability could be worse next week than it was today, so a lot rests on the shoulders of those available to play.

The top four of five in the league are showing signs of breaking away from the rest, so the games involving these clubs against each other will be crucial. This cup game will be a big indicator on how the Bankies are shaping up against their nearest rivals. The Bankies have only won once in the last seven against Beith, so a top performance will be required to ensure passage to the next round.

Match report written by Stuart McBay