Clydebank 2
St Cadocs 1
League (WoSFL Premier)

Match Report

The Bankies showed no signs of ring rustiness after almost a month of no competitive action as they defeated a very good St Cadocs side by the odd goal in three at Holm Park in the final home match of the season.

The club took advantage of the day by inviting down all the Academy kids, and there was an almost gala feel about the game before kick-off with a healthy crowd inside the ground. It just made you think about what might have been had we not suffered a disastrous run of form in February which pretty much put paid to our title hopes.

Holm Park would almost certainly have been packed to the rafters had we still been involved in the title race going into the last home game of the season. Alas, as expected, Beith took full advantage of their games in hand while the Bankies were idle and went on to claim the league championship for the second season in a row this afternoon.

This leaves us with the what feels like an inconsequential quest to finish in second place which would represent an improvement on last year, but considering where we were it is a poor consolation.

Today’s squad featured fifteen of the sixteen players who are signed up for next season (minus Ben McLernan who is on loan at Renfrew), and I would expect three of four additions in the close season to bolster that number.

Judging by today’s performance we will no doubt be competitive again at the top end of the table. Both sides delivered an entertaining game of football with plenty of chances at both ends of the pitch.

St Cadocs are another one of these new breeds of clubs with no obvious evidence of how they can afford such a lavish squad. With next to no supporters, they somehow happen to have a side packed full of ex-SPFL players and a budget that dwarfs most of the West of Scotland Premier League. At least they did manage to put a couple of their U-20s side on the bench this afternoon

Gordon Moffat continued with the three at the back system which he has introduced recently with Grant and McHugh operating as wing backs. It does seem to be giving us better width and allows Hodge and Grant to be in the same side which didn’t really happen when we played four at the back.

St Cadocs had the better of the opening exchanges with McLaughlin making a mess of a free header at the back post after just two minutes, and then a mis-hit McManus cross forced Hughes to tip the ball over the bar as it headed for the goal.

The Bankies hit back, and it was noticeable that the press on the ball was much better with Nicky Little in particular chasing everything down. The skipper might be 32 years of age now, but you wouldn’t think it when he received a quick throw out from Hughes and ran the entire length of the field before sending in a low shot that Currie gathered comfortably.

With Clydebank in the ascendancy, the Bankies took the lead after 14 minutes. Gallacher released Truesdale down the right wing and he slipped the ball across the six-yard box where chaos ensued as Little (twice), and Grant had shots blocked. The loose ball finally arrived at the feet of Oisin McHugh, and he stroked the ball home from eight yards for his first goal of the season. This goal shows the effectiveness of the new formation that both our typical full backs were in the opposition penalty box aiding the attack.

There were umpteen chances for both sides in the first half, but it was the Bankies who extended their lead just before the break. Nicky Little fed the ball to Ciaran Mulcahy and in a piece of individual skill he left McKillen and Coll on their backsides before slotting the ball past Currie.

St Cadocs were stronger in the second half, but it suited the Bankies to hit on the break with the two-goal cushion. In one tremendous break, Matt Niven hit a 70 yard pass straight into the path of Ciaran Mulcahy, but the striker just didn’t get enough height on his attempted chip and Currie saved.

The Bankies frontline seemed to be wilting a little due to their pressing exertions and for a spell St Cadocs turned the screw and were handed a lifeline after McManus was brought down in the box for a clear penalty kick after 63 minutes.

Neil McLaughlin probably won’t hit a worse penalty in his career as it had neither power nor direction, but full credit to Kieran Hughes who guessed correctly and pushed the ball away on his left hand side.

The same player did manage to pull one back just five minutes later when the Bankies were exposed down the right wing. The ball was initially cleared off the line, but McLaughlin was well placed to fire the ball home.

The Bankies were as likely to extend their lead as St Cadocs were to snatch a draw. Nicky Little set up the in-rushing Lee Gallacher, but he fired it over the top from close range. Down the other end Alan Lithgow somehow made a mess of a clear opportunity. The ball fell at his feet on the edge of the six yard box, but he somehow managed to lose control and the ball was smothered by Hughes.

The Bankies held out quite comfortably in the closing stages and were worthy winners in an entertaining game.

With just one game of the season to go for the Bankies at Pollok next week, our final position in the table is still uncertain. A victory at Newlandsfield should see us end up second or third, but anything else could see us fourth or fifth.

Match report written by Stuart McBay