Kirk Rob Roy 1
Clydebank 4
Friendly

Match Report

The Bankies recovered from a sluggish first half performance to win almost effortlessly on our first visit to Rob Roy’s new community facility in Kirkintilloch. The 4-1 scoreline was completely merited and towards the end there was a yawning chasm between the clubs which would have been unthinkable only a few short years ago.

Gordon Moffat had Jimmy Grant available for the first time this season, and new signing Stuart McCann was also in his first squad. Long term crock Thomas Collins was also looking for some game time after last being on the field for the Bankies last August.

However, with it being pre-season all three had to be content with the bench as a start was handed to loan signing from St Mirren Billy Hutchison as part of our co-operation deal with the Buddies. The seventeen-year-old who is of slight build, seemed to find it tough going before having to retire with a niggle, but this experience will hopefully stand him in good stead. Also, the trialist midfielder who has been with the club throughout the whole pre-season was also in the starting eleven. He seems to be a tidy player, but I’m not sure he has impressed enough to justify a longer stay given the quality of players at the club already.

Rob Roy were obviously quite keen to make a statement against their county neighbours and they gave the Bankies plenty to think about in the opening stages, So much so that they took a shock lead after just five minutes when Scott Granger swept home a loose ball in the penalty box from a corner kick.

It’s hard to be critical of too much about the Bankies in the last 12 months, but just sometimes we can lack a little bit of tempo and purpose on the ball. We are such a passing team nowadays, that if we are not on it then we can look laboured at times, particularly at the start of games.

The Bankies escaped some nervous moments as Granger tested Leishman with another header and a couple of corner kicks were crying out to be headed home, but there were no takers. The home side’s best moment came after 22 minutes when Maguire fed the ball to Barclay at the edge of the box and his low shot brought out a fine blocked save from Leishman.

The only real danger the Bankies had posed by this point was from a misunderstanding between keeper Aitken and Granger with his back header catching out the stopper and rolling just narrowly wide. However, the Bankies do what the Bankies do and started to retain possession taking the legs out of the Rob Roy players on the wide pitch.

Although no closer to restoring parity by the time the break arrived, Clydebank were well on top, and the pressure was building. The introduction of Little, McLaughin, Preston and McHugh gave the extra impetus needed, and within 60 seconds of the restart we were all square.

A Lee Gallacher cross from the right evaded ex-Bankie Scott Walker and Keir Samson cutely diverted the ball into the net for a timely goal. For the next fifteen minutes, Clydebank played with energy and purpose that was missing in the first half, and it was no surprise when they took they lead after 53 minutes. The goalkeeper probably should have dealt with a Keir Samson shot better than he did, but by palming the ball out in front of goal, he gave Nicky Little the simplest of tasks to net from close range.

Although, showing the odd flash here and there Rob Roy were not in the game. Clydebank were by this point operating on a completely different level. Nicky Little scored with six minutes remaining with a fine reaction shot from the edge of the box as he stabbed the ball into the top corner to give the scoreline a more realistic look.

However, there was more to come as Thomas Collins who last played for the Bankies at the end of last August made his long-awaited comeback from the bench. He received a rapturous welcome from the supporters, and he paid them back with a great goal on the turn beating Aitken all ends up. Collins rightly celebrated his goal and hopefully he is now on the road back as he was on top form before his injury.

There was a strong turnout of 373 for a midweek friendly, and it is great to see Rob Roy back in their hometown after a decade and more of being on their travels. There is no reason why they can’t go from strength to strength with the backing of the local community.

In terms of performances, Neil McLaughlin has settled in very quickly and could be a very influential player for us this season, but I would also like to single out Arran Preston. He has been very impressive at the centre of defence in the games he has played. He is strong, fearless and good on the ball and despite his age already looks like he could be pushing for a starting place in the team.

For the team as a whole, we could really do with a sterner test before the season kicks off on a week on Saturday. Hopefully, Auchinleck Talbot will provide that when they visit Holm Park for the inaugural West of Scotland Charity Cup. Talbot drew 2-2 with Linlithgow Rose in a friendly just last week, so it may give us a bit more of a yardstick as to our prospects this season.

Match report written by Stuart McBay