Clydebank 1
Cowdenbeath 1
League (Lowland League)

Match Report

Clydebank remain top of the table despite dropping points for the first time this season. Many expected Cowdenbeath to be the Bankies’ toughest test so far, and so it proved. The Fifers fielded a side with a blend of height, strength and physicality at the back, coupled with pace and relentless energy in attack. They will be happy to leave Holm Park with a point in their pockets — and they could well have taken all three.

Their line-up was almost the perfect antidote to Clydebank’s measured build-up play. Although they conceded territory, Cowden carried a real threat on the break and perhaps exposed a vulnerability — particularly for sides capable of keeping it tight at the back.

As with the Bankies’ previous matches, the first half was tight before opening up in the second. Gordon Moffat has hinted that Lowland League opposition are generally more defensively organised than many sides from the West of Scotland League, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that some of our attacking players aren’t firing on all cylinders.

Apart from the Civil Service Strollers match last week, we’ve struggled to turn dominance into goals. The first goal is vital, and we’ve now fallen behind twice already this season. At some stage, the comeback won’t arrive.

Neil McLaughlin is overdue a start, and Aaron Black’s pace offers something we lack elsewhere in the squad. That said, his impact from the bench is undeniable.

It’s not as though the Bankies didn’t create chances. In the first half, Cowdenbeath’s defence bailed themselves out twice. A dangerous cross zipped across the six-yard box saw Samson and keeper Hayward collide, with the big stopper smothering the ball despite taking a head knock that forced his substitution. Later, a Nicky Little cross was hooked away brilliantly by Jack Denham with Samson waiting to pounce.

Cowdenbeath also showed their attacking threat before the break when Adamson’s incisive run released Tomany, whose low strike was well saved by Leishman.

As is becoming a pattern, Clydebank upped the tempo after the restart. Nicky Low almost scored straight from kick-off, then a Nicky Little shot was blocked by Denham’s foot, with Low’s follow-up pushed away by substitute keeper Gear.

For all the Bankies’ pressure, Cowden’s defence remained stubborn and began countering with more purpose. On 58 minutes, Watt’s pass opened the play for Williamson to shoot inside the box, only for Dean Cairns to make a brave block.

The warning wasn’t heeded. Just two minutes later, a swift counter saw Jack Allan’s diagonal ball pick out McDowell, who took one touch before rifling past Leishman. Simple, direct, and effective — unlike the intricate moves we so often try to craft.

That goal finally sparked real urgency, and the last half hour of the game was extremely exciting with the introduction of McLaughlin and Black. These changes coincided with the Bankies equalising through Nicky Little. Oisin McHugh surged down the left and, crucially, delivered an early cross. Cowden’s defence couldn’t clear, and the ball dropped kindly for Little, who smashed it home from close range.

With the crowd in full voice, Clydebank pushed for a winner. Black wasted a golden breakaway by shooting when Samson was clear for a pass, his effort easily blocked. McLaughlin then went close with a glancing header that drifted wide.

Those missed chances almost proved costly. Twice Cowden threatened late on — Mauchin blazing over before substitute keeper Owen Stott, replacing the injured Leishman, denied him again.

The game reached a thrilling conclusion. Black drove through the centre and struck a low effort against the base of the post. The rebound fell to McLaughlin, whose quick feet teed up Stuart McCann. Off balance, McCann’s shot was cleared off the line by the tireless Adamson.

Cowdenbeath will feel they earned their point, and their healthy travelling support will agree. From a Clydebank perspective, the Bankies are not doing enough to press home the advantage when on top, and some selection changes are required. Despite the big win against Civil Service Strollers last week I’m not sure it was entirely justified to start with the same eleven.

The Bankies now have a short break from league action, travelling to Fife next Saturday to face Inverkeithing in the South Challenge Cup, before welcoming an improving Stirling University side to Holm Park on Tuesday night.

Match report written by Stuart McBay