Clydebank 4
Broxburn Ath 0
League (Lowland League)

Match Report

Broxburn Athletic were the latest side to fall to a relentless Clydebank run as the Lowland League title race edged towards its climax. Another four goals were scored without reply, extending the sequence to seven straight victories and five consecutive clean sheets. It has been an extraordinary run, yielding thirty goals for and just two against.

Despite that form, the destination of the title remains uncertain. Tranent’s home defeat to Linlithgow Rose has effectively removed them from contention, leaving the championship to be decided between Bonnyrigg Rose, Linlithgow Rose and the Bankies.

Linlithgow will first use up their game in hand away to Celtic B on Wednesday before facing both rivals in the final two matches, beginning with Clydebank at Prestonfield next Saturday. Bonnyrigg travel to Broxburn before hosting Linlithgow on the final day, while Clydebank round off their campaign at home to Caley Braves - the side who inflicted our heaviest defeat of the season.

It is likely to go down to the final day. The only scenario in which the title could be secured next week is if Clydebank win at Linlithgow and Bonnyrigg drop points at Broxburn. Anything else, and it goes to the wire.

For this match, Gordon Moffat recalled the fit-again David Syme to the starting eleven, with the unfortunate Matt Niven - excellent in midweek at Cowdenbeath - making way. Adam Hodge made his 150th appearance for the club, while Jimmy Grant reached 100 games after coming off the bench in the second half.

Broxburn, with just one win in their previous ten outings, were not in the best form. However, they had defeated Clydebank earlier in the season and remain a better side than some of the recent opposition faced.

With the rain belting down, I think we were all thankful for the artificial pitch. Playing this on the old Holm Park grass pitch would have been Hell on Earth if it wasn’t already postponed.

A hallmark of the Bankies recent run has been high tempo starts and today was no different and scoring on virtually the first attack of the match helps no end. There was perhaps a little bit of fortune about Oisin McHugh’s goal after three minutes. I’m not sure whether Dean Cairns first time effort which rebounded off the crossbar was a shot or a cross. And Likewise It looked like Oisin was trying to guide the ball into the danger area rather than shoot, but it floated over the head of the keeper and into the net. I will apologise in advance if it was a deliberate shot.

Moments later, Dom Docherty was denied when his header from a Nicky Low corner was cleared off the line by McCrory-Irving into the arms of McConnell, setting the tone for much of the first half.

General play was relatively even, with Kyle Bell central to much of Broxburn’s work. The key difference was in the final third. Clydebank continued to create chances, while the visitors offered little in response.

Wardell shot on a quick break when a pass to Samson looked the better option, before bringing out an excellent save from McConnell as the ball travelled through a ruck of legs. Further stops followed from efforts by McLaughlin, McHugh and Wardell as Clydebank pressed for a second.

Broxburn did have their chance though and it came from an Errol Douglas header from a corner kick. His header into the ground bounced up quickly and Stott showed terrific reflexes to touch the ball over the bar.

The visitors began the second half brightly enough without seriously threatening, but the game swung decisively on 55 minutes. Keir Samson was brought down by Greg Page, and the award of a penalty was as straightforward as it was avoidable.

With Neil McLaughlin having missed his previous two spot kicks, Nicky Low assumed responsibility and converted comfortably.

A deflated Broxburn side were now vulnerable, and Clydebank were ruthless in exploiting it. Two further goals followed in quick succession.

The third came when Broxburn were caught in possession. Low found Samson from the left, and the striker showed excellent control before drilling a composed finish into the bottom corner.

The fourth goal was an outstanding team goal and shows the value of artificial surfaces at this level in Scotland. A raft of one touch football involving McLaughlin, Low, Cairns and Samson was a joy to behold. Wardell’s finish from Samson’s final cross was equal to the move that preceded it and you are unlikely to see a better goal this season.

From that point, the game fizzled out, but the defensive effort deserved recognition. Clean sheets have become a defining feature of this run, and preserving another required concentration to the end. David Syme provided the key moment, producing a superb diving header off the line to deny Kyle Bell a late consolation.

And now we move on to the penultimate game of the season at Linlithgow Rose. The stakes could not be higher, and this should be well attended, so we need as many Bankies fans there as possible.

Now, we have never beaten Linlithgow Rose in our history. This season we have had three one all draws, losing two cup games in penalty shoot outs. In my opinion we have been the better side in all three encounters, so maybe we owe them one. The players and fans are pulling in the same direction, so let’s see if we can make this happen.

Match report written by Stuart McBay