Clydebank 2
Stirling Albion 2
Friendly

Match Report

Clydebank held First Division Stirling Albion to an entertaining 2–2 draw in a lively midweek friendly under the lights at New Kilbowie Park.

The match marked the return of experienced forward John Cummings, formerly of Aberdeen, Port Vale, and Ayr United, who added a touch of class to the Bankies’ attack—and capped his comeback with a goal.

The home side edged in front just before the break. After winning a corner on the left, Frank Russell swung in a dangerous ball that was nodded back across goal by trialist winger Jim Gray. Cummings, showing all his nous, ghosted in and guided a header past the Albion keeper to give Clydebank a deserved lead at half-time.

Stirling Albion made two changes at the interval, introducing McKinnon and Grant in an effort to shake things up, and it paid off. In the 67th minute, McKinnon tested Sandy McLachlan with a fierce shot. The Bankies keeper could only parry the effort, and Smith, Albion’s new inside-right from Renfrew, reacted quickest to tuck away the rebound.

But Clydebank responded swiftly. Just three minutes later, a mix-up in the visitors’ defence saw Murray slice an attempted clearance straight into the path of Tony Moy, who made no mistake with a clinical finish to restore the Bankies’ advantage.

The lead didn’t last, however, as Albion continued to press and were rewarded in the dying moments. Grant, one of the half-time substitutes, capped a strong performance by firing home a fine equaliser, ensuring a share of the spoils in an open and entertaining contest.

Despite letting the win slip late on, there were plenty of positives for Clydebank—not least the return of Cummings and the promising display from trialist Jim Gray on the wing. The Bankies once again showed their willingness to test themselves against strong opposition in these midweek friendlies, and more than held their own.

Match report written by Stuart McBay