Airdrie 1
Clydebank 1
League (1st Division)

Match Report

A tragic goalkeeping blunder by Jim Gallacher in the last minute of the match cost Bankies a famous and deserved victory. The Bankies defence had cleared up what appeared tone Airdrie’s last effort to snatch a point.

With the ball safely in the hands of the keeper and the referee ready to blow for time. Gallacher chose to roll the ball forward in his area. Before he had time to lift it again Wilson nipped in, dragged the ball clear, and shot into the empty net. There was not even time to centre the ball and the look of disappointment on the players' faces told its own tale.

After two brilliant performances Bankies were unchanged, except in goal where Gallacher replaced McKenzie.

Airdrie won the toss and booked the strong wind in the first half but it soon became apparent that they were none too good at using the conditions to their advantage. Add to that the fact that the Bankies defence in which Fanning was outstanding gave nothing away and one can see that this was not to be the easy victory that the home fans anticipated.

The midfield play of the home side left a lot to be desired as their only tactic seemed to be a long punt into the air which seldom gave their forwards a chance to threaten.

In fact, the nearest they came was in the 15th minutes when McCulloch from a suspiciously offside position, was allowed to run in on Gallacher but the big keeper got down well to block the centre's effort.

For their part Bankies were content to let the home side waste their chances of using the wind and broke upfield only occasionally.

As the half wore on and they grew in confidence Bankies became more evident as an attacking force and a great run by Cooper gave McCallan a chance but his shot was blocked.

Four minutes from the interval Bankies almost took the lead when from a Cooper corner Larnach cleverly flicked the ball over the keeper who breathed a sigh of relief when the bar came to his rescue.

Two minutes later, however, and the visitors were cock-a-hoop. Hesitancy between Marsh and Black let Mike Larnach through and he raced into the penalty area. As he was about to pick his spot Cowan floored him from behind. There was no doubt that it was a penalty and even less doubt that Bankies would squander this golden chance as ace penalty taker Billy McColl hammered the ball home from the spot.

Airdrie were stunned but Bankies deserved their lead for they had made the home side look rather ordinary.

After the break Bankies also had difficulty using the wind to their advantage but at no time did they look like losing their lead. Despite using both substitutes Airdrie could find no way through the well-organised Bankies defence and their only effort at goal was a shot from Walker that had to be retrieved from the adjoining car park.

Bankies might have added to their lead but a one-goal victory would have been a fair result over the 90 minutes and one that they looked like getting until that fatal error with the final kick of the ball.

Still, it was a point that many will be surprised that Bankies gathered and a big crowd should be at Kilbowie tomorrow for the visit of St. Johnstone who are having a good run at the moment.