Clydebank 2
Bo'ness Utd 0
League (Lowland League)

Match Report

The Bankies closed the gap on league leaders Linlithgow Rose to a single point after a demanding 2-0 victory over third-placed Bo’ness United at Holm Park. The visitors pushed Clydebank all the way, particularly in the second half when Gordon Moffat’s men were on the back foot for long spells. Lessons had been learned from Saturday, however, as this was a far more controlled defensive display. Bo’ness never created a clear opening, and the only real danger looked to come from set pieces – but the central pairing of Niven and Syme dealt with everything thrown at them.

With Oisin McHugh joining Dean Cairns on the injured list, the versatile Jimmy Grant slotted in at left back while Chris McGowan covered in midfield. Veteran forward Nicky Little dropped to the bench, and Lee Gallacher returned to the starting eleven, prompting a slight reshuffle in attack.

Clydebank made the brighter start, with a dipping Nicky Low shot deflected for a corner and a glancing Keir Samson header drifting just wide from a Hodge cross. Aaron Black also had a half chance, firing over from a tight angle.

After weathering those early moments, Bo’ness began to enjoy more possession, pushing their wide men forward at every opportunity. This made it harder for the Bankies to play out with authority, but unlike against Berwick, they showed patience and didn’t allow the game to open up.

The first half drifted into stalemate until the 29th minute. Following a spell of composed possession, Low sent the ball wide to Gallacher on the left. His cross into the area took a fortunate deflection off a defender’s head and dropped kindly to Aaron Black at the back post. Showing great vision, he squared the ball to Samson, who side-footed home his seventh goal of the season.

That goal sparked Clydebank’s most dynamic spell of the game. The ball was moved with greater urgency and another looked likely, with Low coming closest with a rasping 25-yard strike that flew narrowly wide.

If the Bankies shaded the first half, Bo’ness turned the tables after the restart. Few teams have enjoyed territorial dominance at Holm Park this season, but the BU’s managed it, showing the Lowland League is far from the pushover some suggest. The issue for them was turning pressure into chances. Apart from a brave block by Owen Stott, they never registered a shot on goal.

At the other end, opportunities were scarce too, but Clydebank always carried more threat in the final third. Samson’s tireless running made him a constant menace, and ultimately it was his persistence that helped kill the game.

Before the decisive second goal, Clydebank made a flurry of substitutions, which gave them fresh impetus as Bo’ness tired. Craig Truesdale was lively when introduced, curling just wide on 83 minutes. A minute later, Samson slipped him through, and Truesdale squared for Little to slide home his 199th goal for the club.

With victory secure, the Bankies finished with ten men after Arran Preston was stretchered off with a head knock, while Jimmy Grant had also departed earlier. Injuries are mounting again for Moffat, echoing last season’s selection headaches, and the squad has rarely enjoyed a clean bill of health this term.

Man of the Match goes to Samson for his tireless display, with Niven, Syme, and the full-backs not far behind in a well-earned clean sheet.

There was also a moment of levity as Frazer Johnstone somehow managed to get booked before even kicking the ball – a reputation that seems to have followed him from the West into the Lowland League.

Attention now turns to Saturday’s trip to Gretna, who have lost seven straight in the league. With Bo’ness facing Linlithgow in the West Lothian derby, something will have to give.

Match report written by Stuart McBay