Clydebank 4
Auchinleck Talb 1
West of Scotland Charity Cup

Match Report

Clydebank signed off from West of Scotland duties in style, winning the inaugural Charity Cup contested by last season’s League and League Cup winners at Holm Park this afternoon. As league champions, the Bankies had the option to host the tie, and in keeping with our new Lowland League status, Auchinleck Talbot were comprehensively defeated by four goals to one.

We’ve been on the receiving end of some heavy defeats by Talbot during their years of Junior dominance, but since both clubs transitioned into the pyramid system, it’s the Bankies who have held the upper hand. The only thing missing had been a victory by a wide margin—until today.

Given the expected competitiveness of the fixture, Gordon Moffat named a strong starting eleven, with Stuart McCann making his first start for the club. The strength in depth of the Bankies squad was evident, with Keir Samson, Ciaran Mulcahy, Owen Stott and Matt Niven not even making the bench.

It was clear from the opening whistle that Clydebank were ready to raise the tempo from previous pre-season friendlies. The passing and movement were sharper and more incisive. Within two minutes, Neil McLaughlin tested goalkeeper Muir after latching on to a clever dinked ball from Nicky Little, but his side-footed effort was well held to the keeper’s left.

The opening goal soon followed. McLaughlin, making intelligent runs from deep, once again breached the Talbot defence. This time, Dean Cairns supplied the assist with a lovely chipped pass using the outside of his boot, and McLaughlin coolly lifted the ball over the advancing keeper to make it 1–0 after just six minutes.

Talbot responded well to their slow start and turned the remainder of the first half into a more dogged affair—one that suited their physical style more than Clydebank’s. It was the first real competitive edge the Bankies had faced in pre-season, and it should serve us well ahead of the serious stuff kicking off next week.

Andy Leishman was the busier of the two keepers during this spell, making saves from Alex Nimmo and twice from Kyle McAvoy. While none were spectacular stops, there was concern at how easily Talbot were able to find shooting opportunities.

Clydebank looked to reassert themselves, and Dean Cairns wasn’t far off with a first-time snapshot from the edge of the box following a half-cleared cross from the right.

The outcome arguably hinged on two key moments before the interval. First, a long ball through the centre seemed to catch David Syme out of position, allowing McAvoy to run clean through. Leishman rushed out to narrow the angle, and although the striker rolled the ball under him, there wasn’t enough power on the shot. Jimmy Grant raced back to clear off the line.

Moments later, Nimmo lost control trying to run the ball out of defence. Nicky Low was alert and swept it first time into the box. Aidan Wilson’s attempted clearance only succeeded in teeing up Stuart McCann, who gratefully rifled the ball past Muir to double the lead.

Talbot made four changes at the break—either chasing the game or, more likely, accepting the result and choosing to give minutes to their squad.

Whatever the intention, it was academic just four minutes into the second half when Nicky Little ended the contest. His header from a Lee Gallacher cross struck the upright, and while still ruing his misfortune, the ensuing scramble saw the ball fall kindly back to him. He made no mistake from close range.

With both sides ringing the changes, the match began to open up, with chances at either end. But it was Clydebank who capitalised. Talbot, usually so disciplined at the back, were caught wide open. Nicky Little let the ball run through his legs to Nicky Low, whose first effort was blocked—but he made no mistake with the rebound to make it 4–0.

Clydebank could have added more, but to their credit, Talbot kept going and got a deserved consolation in the closing minutes. A move down the left culminated in two quick passes across the box, finding Smith in space, and he finished well with a low strike beyond Leishman.

The referee added minimal stoppage time before a brief trophy presentation took place for the supporters who stayed to watch it. Even the players seemed relatively unfazed. The proceeds from the crowd of just under 400 will be split between three charities, and credit is due to the West of Scotland League for trying something a bit different.

So that’s it. We’re back to square one—no games played, no goals scored, no points on the board. It’s a blank slate, and the players must now prove themselves all over again. Record season ticket sales show the town is behind the club—but they also raise expectations ever higher.

We are one step away from where we want to be – a big step as well, and it all starts with East Stirlingshire coming to town next week as we unfurl the league flag.

With excitement and a touch of trepidation… here we go!

Match report written by Stuart McBay