Clydebank 3
Arbroath 0
League (1st Division)

Match Report

Clydebank handed out a three goal warning to all First Division championship contenders at Kilbowie on Saturday - and if they hold on to the League position they gained, there'll be Premier League football in the town next season!

Star of the show was - yet again - winger Davie Cooper, who gave notice that he's going to take a lot of stopping in the season ahead.

With a fair breeze behind them Bankies attacked the Drumry goal from the start, but the early exchanges were fairly even with both teams shooting off target.

A long ball by Lumsden saw McColl racing through in good position, but Marshall quickly assessed the danger, and was out in a flash to collect.

The visitors' reply was a neat move that ended with McKenzie mis-hitting his shot from just eight yards range, and the ball ended well wide.

With the fans cheering them on, Bankies took the lead in the 23rd minute. A good move saw the ball pushed forward to Larnach, who laid it off for McCallan. He drew the defence, and returned a perfect pass to Mike, who gave the keeper no chance with a hard low - drive into the net.

Bankies were rampant now, and four minutes later were two up. Billy McColl took a free kick way out on the right touchline just inside the Arbroath half. Seeing Davie Cooper lurking at the far post, he flighted the ball superbly, and the brilliant winger rose to send a header crashing into the net.

The goal seemed to shake some life into the disappointing visitors, who began to put some more effort into their play, too much, in fact, for Mitchell was booked for a foul on Lumsden.

As they put their game together, Roddy Mackenzie distinguished himself with four excellent saves, Twice he thwarted Bone then saved well from Murray and Gardiner.

Just before the interval, Bankies were incredibly denied a third goal when, in a scramble, full back Milne appeared to push the ball up into the underside of the net before it was cleared. It was at least a penalty, but referee Thompson waved play on.

After the break the Norrie Hall headed just wide and Billy McColl missed a good chance as Bankies pressed forward.

Arbroath were forced into a substitution, with Hendrie replacing the injured Fetters, and he took position up front to give the dangerous Bone some much-needed support.

The visitors had their best spell after this and McKenzie turned a header from Bone over the bar, then turned another effort from the striker round the post.

Jim Fallon came to Bankies rescue when he kicked a shot off the line, but Bankies stemmed the tide and were soon threatening Marshall's goal.

With the visitors having used both subs and lost Carson injured, Bankies began to run the Arbroath side ragged. Davie Cooper sparkled all over the field, and from one super run up the left, which saw him beat four players, he laid off a pass to Joe McCallan who scored his first goal of the season with low shot that left Marshall helpless,

There was no stopping Bankies now, with Cooper the playmaker supreme and they should have had a penalty when the winger was pulled back well inside the area.

A beautiful chip over the defence by that man Cooper again, gave Billy McColl a chance, but he delayed his shot and lost the chance.

So, a great opening for the Bankies who proudly sit at the top of the League after the first game. They played well enough to suggest that they can do well this season, and in Cooper, Larnach, Lumsden and McColl had excellent players. Arbroath were rather disappointing with only Bone looking sharp up front.