Clydebank 4
Albion Rovers 2
League (Lowland League)

Match Report

It was another “normal day” in the weird and wacky world of the Lowland League, as there were an incredible 40 goals scored across the eight games yesterday. The Bankies chipped in with their contribution, scoring four times to Albion Rovers’ two at Holm Park.

It almost brought back memories of that televised game on Sportscene in which a late Ken Eadie header secured a 4–3 win against the Rovers back in 1989. That game had Archie Macpherson digging out his dictionary to describe the goalfest as a “veritable deluge.”

Yesterday’s game was every bit as exciting, as the Bankies had to come from behind twice to win the three points. They did so in some style in the end and could easily have added another goal or two to the tally.

The Lowland League continues to throw up contrasts to the West of Scotland League. The average age of player in the Lowland seems to be lower overall, and while most teams have been better disciplined in defence and carried a threat going forward, it may be easier to break their spirit.

I get the impression that West of Scotland sides are just more resilient overall, and that little bit of extra experience can make it harder to get a result over the line. Even at 2–1 down at the interval, you felt that if we kept playing as we were, we would eventually overcome Albion Rovers. Once we equalised for the second time the result was never in doubt, and despite having a strong wind at their backs, the visitors looked bereft of ideas.

You have to hand it to Albion Rovers in the first half, though, as they were yet another side who came to Holm Park and really raised their game. Their first goal after just five minutes was a quality move and finish. The Bankies had come out the traps quickly and were looking threatening when they were hit with a real sucker punch.

The wonderfully named Lancelot Pollard picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch and released Euan Bowie down the left wing. His early cross to the back post was absolutely perfect for Chris Neeson, who didn’t even need to break stride to head past Owen Stott.

The Bankies’ response was immediate as Neil McLaughlin equalised just two minutes later with a cracker of a free kick after he was brought down at the edge of the box. If you thought Nicky Low’s free kick against Jeanfield Swifts last week was a belter, then this was every bit as good—if not better—as he curled the ball into the net via the inside of the post.

Just as you thought normal service had been resumed, the Bankies were behind again after 19 minutes. Like most other Lowland League sides, Rovers looked to play the ball on the deck, and they worked a fine move through the Bankies defence which led to Owen Stott having to dive full length to push a low shot from Grant Marchant round the post for a corner. From the resultant cross to the back post, veteran defender Alan Reid was on hand to head the ball into the net. You wonder if that goal would have been quite so easily lost with David Syme organising the defence.

The strong, gusty wind made it difficult for the Bankies at times, but we should have found an equaliser on a couple of occasions—especially when Nicky Little did remarkably well to chase down the ball on the right wing. He picked out Gallacher in the box, and the winger will be disappointed he didn’t find the target from twelve yards out.

Rovers continued to be a menace on the break, and the Bankies had Owen Stott to thank for preventing a third goal. Barry Duncan took the ball on his left foot and curled a shot that looked a goal all the way, but Stott made a remarkable leap to his left and managed to divert the ball onto the post.

The excitement didn’t let up as Ciaran Mulcahy had a gilt-edged chance to take the sides into the interval on level terms. It came from a Hodge cross, and it was one of those that looked harder to miss than score, but he somehow steered the ball wide of the goal.

The Bankies had created more than enough chances and been in several good positions, so the game looked well within our reach to turn around. The next goal was going to be vital in that respect, and within three minutes of the restart we were back on terms.

There was an element of luck involved, as Ciaran Mulcahy attempted an overhead kick at close quarters in the box and the ball broke kindly. Showing that he has lost none of his striker’s instinct, Nicky Little reacted quickest to smash the ball high into the net.

Rovers visibly wilted after that, as their game plan to protect the lead presumably went out the window. Clydebank’s relentless passing was taking its toll on the young Rovers team, who were now struggling out of possession, and it was really just a matter of when, not if.

The third goal duly arrived after 65 minutes when a free kick into the box was headed on by Matt Niven and found Neil McLaughlin with his back to goal. One touch, a swivel and strike, and the ball was in the net.

Ten minutes later the fourth was added when the two substitutes combined, as an Aaron Black corner kick was met by the head of Keir Samson, who directed the ball past the flailing Halliwell in the Rovers goal.

Clydebank could have scored any number of goals but had to settle for the four, though special mention must be made of Aaron Black’s incredible miss at the end. He did the hard bit by nicking the ball past the goalkeeper, but with the whole goal to aim for, he somehow contrived to miss the target. A moment to forget for Black, but one for the end-of-season blooper reel.

Overall, I thought the Bankies maintained the intensity from the Jeanfield game but were caught out a couple of times by a side who had some decent forward players in their ranks. We haven’t been quite as devastating at home as we have away, but the games have all been incredibly eventful and exciting. Plenty of goals, and the Bankies have gotten the results in the end as well, which will hopefully keep people coming back for more.

In a high-scoring weekend, we were helped out by Stirling University, who defeated leaders Linlithgow Rose, meaning we can now draw level at the top if we win at Gala next Saturday when we use our game in hand.

The Bankies Archive Man of the Match goes to Neil McLaughlin, who looked at it right from the start and is now delivering on a regular basis. Nicky Low and Dean Cairns were, as usual, the driving force behind the team, but Nicky Little also had his best game in a while. Special mention must also go to Owen Stott, who made two outstanding saves in the first half—the second of which could have been game-defining.

Three away games in a row now await us, as we go to Gala, Bo’ness, and then play the first game at the newly “unsloped” New Dundas Park against Bonnyrigg Rose.

Match report written by Stuart McBay