Clydebank 2
Petershill 1
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Match Report

The Bankies kept their 100% record up in pre-season with a closer than it should have been 2-1 victory at Holm Park tonight against First Division Petershill. Clydebank were so dominant in the first half hour of this game with Craig Truesdale very influential that a cricket score looked a distinct possibility.

However, the Bankies recent Achilles Heel of not being able to score goals was evident again. We could easily have been three of four up by half time, but instead we ended up getting a bit bogged down and gave away a needless goal to let Petershill back in the game.

It is only pre-season and there has been a lot of chopping and changing with players being away on holiday and rotating the squad to give everyone some game time. No doubt these very same problems are dogging all the sides in our league. It is not ideal preparation and it makes it quite difficult to assess how ready we are for the start of the league campaign on a week on Saturday.

It was a strong line-up that took to the field with Jimmy Grant and Callum Graham both given starting berths for the first time this season. It meant Gordon Moffat went with three at the back and it was the proverbial whirlwind start from the home side.

The lead was taken after just two minutes with Nicky Little finishing off a Thomas Collins cutback, by side-footing home into the corner of the net.

Little started the game in a positive manner obviously lifted by his goal, and he almost gave us one of his long range specials after 12 minutes but the ball rattled off the crossbar. Callum Graham wrestled the ball off a defender from the rebound, but his shot across goal was going wide until Thomas Collins managed to force the ball back on target, only for a defender to turn it wide of the post.

Truesdale and Collins both had free kicks that failed to hit the target, after Oisin McHugh was fouled on both occasions on what is fast becoming a trademark powerful run towards box like a steam train resulting in the opposition having to pull him down.

The woodwork again would save Petershill, after a very nice lay off from Callum Graham found Jimmy Grant but his drive came off the crossbar once more.

The game should have been beyond doubt by this point but an unfortunate injury to #8 who fell awkwardly and appeared to break his arm, meant that the remainder of the first half was a little flat. For the Bankies this carried into the second half when the Peasy number 10 tried to hook a volley towards the goal, but ended up skying it as he made a poor connection.

For whatever reason the Bankies had lost their way. Truesdale seemed to be in a deeper position in the second period and as such fell out of the game. Dean Cairns who has played well in all the pre-season games was more subdued as well.

Clydebank were still well in control, but the ball was going more side to side than forwards as the cutting edge had been blunted. As ever, a one goal lead is one mistake away from being taken away, and a mis-placed pass from Oisin McHugh proved fatal, as Petershill raced down the right wing, played the ball inside for #9 who rammed the ball past Keaney who had come on at half time.

The Bankies immediately brought on Gallacher, McLernan and Mulcahy and fortunately the lead was restored just four minutes later. It was a piece of good fortune that saw the ball reach Gallacher in the middle of the pitch. He charged into the box, bamboozled the Petershill defence with a neat step-over and picked his spot in the corner of the net.

Peteshill hadn’t offered a great deal, but were better for the fifteen minutes leading up to their equaliser, but after they fell behind again the result wasn’t in any real doubt. The quality the Bankies had on the bench steadied the ship and perhaps another goal could have been scored from a couple of half chances that were created.

So, we have one more pre-season game against the Highland League outfit Inverurie Locos on Saturday. The Locos finished mid-table last season and should be of a similar standard to Nairn County whom we beat 7-1 in a friendly two years ago. Gordon Moffat has said in the local paper that he is on the verge of bringing a central defender and a forward to the club. We already look very strong defensively, but the possibility of strengthening the forward line is more than welcome.

Match report written by Stuart McBay