Hamilton Accies 3
Clydebank 2
League (1st Division)

Match Report

Clydebank won the toss and kicked uphill in the first half. That hill must have felt like a mountain to the Bankies for they struggled to clear their lines on many occasions and the forwards could make little impression on a Hamilton defence which gave nothing away and were always first to the ball. Maybe the hard game against Rangers on the previous Wednesday was taking its toll.

Mike Larnach did a lot of running up front for Bankies and won corners on both left and right. However, Hamilton's midfield play was very methodical - they were always probing and keeping their front runners on the move. Lynch was the main play-maker. He kept Clydebank's defence wide with long balls up either wing.

Indeed, they were giving Gallacher a busy time and he had several good saves before Hamilton scored their first goal through McNicol.

Before Bankies had time to recover Hamilton scored their second from a cleverly taken free kick which found Campbell unmarked to head the ball home.

With the Hamilton support going wild, the half-time whistle blew and the Bankies players walked solemnly towards the dressing-room, hardly believing they were two goals down.

Worse was yet to come, though, for the second half started the way the first half had finished and Hamilton were three goals up. A long run up the left by McNicol found McGrogan, who hit the ball hard past the diving Gallacher.

Accies certainly looked home and dry but then came an amazing fight-back by Bankies. Things began to click for them and Larnach, McCallan and Lumsden all had good attempts saved well by McKell. As Clydebank piled on more pressure they must have wondered if they had left it too late, for the Hamilton keeper was having an inspired game.

Bankies attempts were rewarded in the 60th minute when Mike Larnach ran on to a lovely through ball from Jimmy Lumsden to score. Browning came on for Dougie Hay and Bobby Provan for young McCormack, and they both contributed well to the pressure on the home team's goal; but again, every good shot from Bankies was met with a good save by McKell.

In a frustrating last 15 minutes for Clydebank, who had made more than enough chances to win the game, Mike Larnach netted No. 2 with a neat header from a Cooper free kick.

A win was not to be for Bankies, however, and the final whistle blew much to the relief of the home side who were hardly in the play in the second half. But, although Clydebank dominated the second half, Hamilton deserved this victory - they were without doubt the better team on the day.

This defeat puts Clydebank below Dundee in the League who are the visitors at Kilbowie tomorrow. With things so close at the top this should be a cracker of a game and hopefully one that will see Bankies back at the top of the First Division.