Clydebank 2
East Stirlingshire 0
League (Lowland League)

Match Report

There’s been a real undercurrent of anticipation ever since the Bankies clinched the West of Scotland Premier Division title last season, as we looked ahead to our first crack at the Lowland League—a competition that holds out the tantalising prospect of promotion to the SPFL. For Clydebank supporters, it feels like we’ve stepped onto the path towards our own Holy Grail.

Excitement has been steadily building: new signings, fixture releases, record-breaking season ticket sales—all signs of a club very much on the rise. And when the opening fixture paired us with East Stirlingshire, an old adversary from our Senior days, it only added to the sense of occasion.

The two clubs share a complicated past, dating back nearly 60 years to the infamous Steedman merger, which ended in the courtroom. Appropriately, it was Shire who provided the opposition in Clydebank’s first ever Senior match at Kilbowie in 1966. The name ES Clydebank forever ties the two clubs together, and despite the 26-year gap since our last competitive meeting, this remains a fixture that resonates with supporters. The turnout of 933 at Holm Park proved that point.

The clubs have taken very different paths in recent times. Clydebank are clearly upwardly mobile, with a squad built to challenge at the top end of the table. Shire, meanwhile, have endured a difficult spell. Now back groundsharing with Stenhousemuir after leaving Falkirk, they retain a small but loyal support.

On the pitch, that contrast showed. Clydebank began their Lowland League campaign with a deserved 2–0 win. It wasn’t a classic by any means, but the Bankies were always the better side, and had the second goal arrived earlier, the margin might have been more emphatic.

The day began on a celebratory note, with club legend Mick Larnach unfurling the League Championship flag. Just six minutes into the game, we were ahead. A Shire defensive calamity saw Mark Docherty hammer the ball off his own teammate and against the post. Craig Truesdale reacted first to the loose ball and was tripped by Stephen O’Neill—penalty. Nicky Little calmly sent the keeper the wrong way to score his 50th goal from the spot, sparking early celebrations.

Moments later it could have been two. A slick through-ball from Nicky Low found Little in a familiar one-on-one position, but the skipper uncharacteristically dragged his shot wide.

That let-off seemed to breathe some life into Shire, who gradually grew into the game. They threatened mainly on the break, taking advantage of a few too many slack passes from the Bankies. Twice, they caught us out with short free kicks down the right, and Callum Murray might have done better with a back-post volley he sent over the bar.

While Clydebank saw more of the ball, efforts on goal were largely from distance. A couple of Lee Gallacher corners nearly sneaked straight in, and just before the break, Shire had their best moment. A move from left to right ended with Murray finding space in the box, but Chris McGowan threw himself in the way to make a vital block.

Here’s where Gordon Moffat earns his money. We’ve seen it before—when things haven’t quite clicked in the first half, he makes the necessary tweaks. And once again, the response after the break was clear. The Bankies dominated the second half, while Shire offered little going forward. Andy Leishman had no real saves to make, but with the lead still slender, there was always that nagging doubt.

The breakthrough finally came three minutes from time, but not before we had begun to carve out more meaningful chances. Sub Aaron Black made a real impact, injecting a directness we don’t always get from our wide players. He tormented the Shire defence down the right, firing in dangerous crosses and going close himself with a sharp turn and shot that just missed the target.

A flowing move saw Nicky Low’s close-range prod well saved by Cantley, but the clinching goal was worth the wait. A cleared corner was retrieved by Dean Cairns, who found Thomas Collins with a pass at an awkward height. Collins didn’t hesitate—he met the ball with a stunning first-time volley that dropped perfectly into the six-yard box for Nicky Little to glance a header past the keeper. A touch of class to seal the points.

Overall, it was a steady, professional performance—good, if not yet great. A solid 2–0 to start life in the Lowland League is not to be sniffed at.

There were no standout stars, but several solid performances. The defence was composed, with McGowan perhaps the pick. Dean Cairns grew into the game, asserting himself more as it wore on. Nicky Low had flashes of quality, while both Collins and Black made positive impacts off the bench.

Man of the match, though, has to go to Nicky Little. Two goals, including a milestone penalty, and a reminder—if we needed it—of just how vital he continues to be. He’s now just four goals away from the incredible milestone of 200 for the club. The day he decides to hang up his boots is one we’ll all dread.

And so, onto Tuesday: a first away test of the season as we head to Broadwood to take on Cumbernauld Colts. We went unbeaten on the road in the league last season—can we keep that run going?

Match report written by Stuart McBay