Clydebank 2
Dundee 1
League (1st Division)

Match Report

A cracking double from superstar Davie Cooper brought a great victory for the Bankies in an enthralling top-of-the-League clash at Kilbowie last Saturday. Over 4,500 fans rolled up for the game of the day and they were not disappointed.

From the opening minutes, the game raged on with incidents galore that had the crowd roaring and creating the atmosphere that has been lacking at Kilbowie.

Dundee, although under pressure, showed that they were prepared to counter-attack and no sooner had Davie Cooper produced a wonderful save from Donaldson than Strachan had Gallagher at full stretch at the other end

Jim Fallon almost produced the opening goal in the 25th minute when he burst forward, flicked the ball to Jim Lumsden and was up in the area to receive Joe McCallan's head-on from the skipper's cross. However, he slipped at the last minute and the ball went wide. That was a brilliant move but an even better one in the 35th minute gave Bankies the opening goal.

Billy McColl and Gerry McLauchlan combined well on the right and the full-back crossed for Joe McCallan to head down to Jim Lumsden. The wee man cleverly drew the defence and slipped a perfect ball in front of Davie Cooper and from 18 yards Davy hit a left-foot shot that thundered into the net and sent Kilbowie wild.

Dundee tried to come back but Bankies were on top now and had the visitors' defence stretched. Just on the interval, the homesters had a great chance to increase their lead. A Cooper corner was headed on by McLauchlan and when Mike Larnach shot, past Donaldson, Ford pushed the ball over the bar. A penalty, but the usually dependable Billy McColl chose this moment to miss his first spot kick by blasting the ball over the top.

After the interval Dundee came more into the game and Jim Gallacher had to look smart on a couple of occasions, saving well from Ford and Hutchinson then getting down well to a Gemmell 20-yard free kick.

Bankies were by no means out of it, however, and when Joe McCallan headed down to Billy McColl it seemed he must score but Ford somehow blocked his point-blank shot. Bankies still pressed forward and after McColl had blasted another chance over the bar Kilbowie erupted as Bankies scored again.

Mike Larnach took Robinson to the cleaners out on the left and when his cross was deflected to the edge of the area Davie Cooper unleashed another tremendous left footer that exploded into the net.

Bankies were rampant now and should have increased their lead in the 78th minute. Larnach and McCallan combined brilliantly to send McColl clean through but with just the keeper to beat he tried to make sure and Donaldson dived on to the ball

All through the match Dundee had seemed intent on living down their Image as a soft team without dig for they pushed and shoved and tackled uncompromisingly. It was rather disappointing to see such a fine player as Tommy Gemmell resort to such tactics but only Caldwell was booked for a foul on Lumsden.

Billy McColl proved that it was just not his day when with just 10 minutes left he again found himself in good position only to see Donaldson block his effort. The ball was not cleared properly and a scramble ensued in the Dundee area but the ball just refused to go in.

Then came a shock for the home side. Caldwell broke down the left and when Hutchinson crossed into the middle Pirie stooped to head a neat goal for the visitors.