Dalkeith Thistle 0
Clydebank 7
Scottish Cup (1st Round)

Match Report

Almost two years ago to the day, Clydebank played their first Scottish Cup match in twenty years by defeating Dalkeith Thistle 7-0 in the first round at Holm Park. This afternoon, the Bankies repeated the same scoreline at King’s Park against the same opposition, in the same round.

This game followed a fairly similar pattern in that it took a while for the Bankies to make the breakthrough, but once they did Dalkeith succumbed to a flurry of goals that killed the game by the half time whistle.

Dalkeith provided solid, if unspectacular opposition, and for most of the first half the Bankies played likewise, and didn’t pose much of an immediate threat to the home goal. It was mainly from set pieces that goalscoring opportunities presented themselves, and Niven and McGonigle in particular were wasteful from good positions.

It always looked like the Bankies could get in behind the Dalkeith rearguard however, and clever running from Thomas Collins got himself into some decent positions, but either the final stage of getting a shot away or making that killer pass remained elusive.

With five minutes of the first half remaining, Dalkeith could have given themselves a well-earned pat on the back, thinking they had competed well, kept the Bankies at bay and could look forward to half time with thoughts of creating a second half shock.

However, those final five minutes saw the Bankies score three times, and essentially kill the game as a contest. The first came from the penalty spot as the ref adjudged that #17 had up-ended Liam McGonigle who appeared to just get his foot to the ball just in front of the defender.

Nicky Little did what he does best and put the ball in the net for his 10th goal of the season, and for the sixth consecutive game. He still has some work to do to take the record away from Craig Flannigan who scored in seven consecutive games back in 1992.

Dalkeith’s world collapsed underneath them as they conceded two further quick goals in the space of a minute to the busy Thomas Collins. Lee Gallacher can take the credit for two assists, but Collins is a wily character and knows how to get himself into the best positions to get on the end of these chances.

The first was a difficult ball into his feet, but Collins controlled well and turned a full 360 to slide the ball past the keeper. The second was from a dinked cross, and this time Collins read the situation perfectly and got between two defenders to head home.

The second half was a mere formality with the Bankies basically managing the game at their leisure, and romping home at a canter. Dalkeith offered scant resistance, and the visitors took full advantage when they decided to put the pedal to the metal scoring four more goals.

It was a half of firsts with Liam McGonigle helping himself to a double for his first goals of the season. Sandwiched between his two goals James Grant headed home from close range for his first ever goal for the Bankies.

However, the most awaited goal came in the final minute of the match when Callum Graham finally opened his account for the club with a two foot tap in. The big striker hasn’t enjoyed the best of luck since his move from Irvine Meadow in the summer, and it was heartening that the Bankies support were really willing him on to break his duck.

Even in this game, it seemed luck had deserted him when he did well to charge down the goalkeeper. The challenge saw the ball spin towards the goal, and just as it seemed it would cross the line it swerved past the post much to the dismay of Graham.

The goal finally came in the 90th minute when the substitute keeper saved an Alan Kelly shot, but could only divert the ball into the path of Graham and from no more that a few feet he guided this gift into the net. It was a long time coming, and he deserved his celebration and hopefully we can look forward to a few more now the monkey is off his back.

It’s always difficult to sum up a game like this. It probably took longer than hoped for to get the opening goal, but once scored there was no looking back. Three up at half time was probably more than Dalkeith deserved, but seven at full time was probably a fair reflection of the overall game. There was never any prospect of Dalkeith even getting a consolation unfortunately for them.

The excitement now builds for the next round as the League Two sides from the SPFL enter the tournament. The Bankies had a memorable encounter with Elgin City at this stage two years ago, and whilst the idea of this kind of tie sounds enticing, I think I would prefer something a little easier to try and progress further in the cup.

It’s back to the league next week when we travel to Arthurlie. The league has still got to be the first priority, and we took full points from the ‘Lie last season so we have to be looking at doing the same again to maintain our challenge for promotion to the Lowland League.

Match report written by Stuart McBay