Match Report
The Bankies got their hands on some early silverware (goldware?) by defeating fellow Lowland League side Cumbernauld Colts by two goals to nil at New Murrayfield Park this afternoon to win the inaugural Blackburn Legacy Shield.
Cumbernauld had booked their place in the final yesterday after a penalty shoot-out following a one-all draw against hosts Blackburn United. Clydebank had taken care of Musselburgh handily, scoring four times without reply, and the slightly larger contingent of Bankies supporters were hoping for more of the same.
It didn’t quite work out that way, as Cumbernauld were a much more stuffy and organised outfit than Musselburgh, but similarly had no real attacking threat. I struggle to think of any saves that Stott or Leishman were called upon to make over the course of the two games.
What was worth the admission price were the two fantastic goals the Bankies scored to win the game. For a while, it looked like the Bankies were going to run amok in the early stages, and scoring after just four minutes only added to the anticipation.
The goal was born out of a great passing move from the Bankies down the left flank, and the ball was released to McHugh, whose deflected cross was absolutely smashed into the net first time by Dean Cairns.
Cairns could have had a hat-trick in the opening ten minutes, as another rasping effort was tipped over the bar from a Callaghan cut-back, and then his left-footed volley sailed wide of the post.
The Colts did settle into the game after a tough opening, but other than a free-kick that was despatched miles over the bar by number 20, their best chance came from number 4, who smartly turned inside McHugh, only for his final shot to be horribly off target.
Chances were at a bit of a premium at the other end too, as the Bankies were finding it more difficult to find a way through the Colts midfield and defence. We were a bit too ponderous on the ball, and this led to one too many hopeful long balls into the channels.
It was successful on occasion, and Kieran Dolan had a couple of efforts on goal. Firstly, from a Nicky Low cross on the right, he glanced a header just wide of goal, and then, with his back to goal, he fashioned a shot on target, but it was an easy claim for the keeper.
Aidan Callaghan caught the eye once more with his direct running, and was even seen chasing back to make a couple of vital challenges, which was great to see. He almost claimed an assist when Nicky Little robbed a defender and sent Callaghan down the wing. He found Cairns with his cross, but the midfielder shanked the ball well wide of the goal.
The early part of the second half saw the majority of the match played in the Bankies half of the pitch as the Colts controlled possession, and Matt Niven made one outstanding tackle to prevent a shot on goal. However, in stark contrast to yesterday, Clydebank were not putting their passing game together from middle to front. We did suffer from this at times last season against well-disciplined sides. We didn’t help ourselves by failing to move the ball at a fast enough tempo, and this led to an over-reliance on long balls, which really needs a Keir Samson to chase down.
It was telling that once Rossiter, Pollard and Docherty entered the fray, we looked like a different team. Docherty anchors the midfield in an unassuming but effective way. Rossiter is constantly looking for the ball, switching it this way and that, and at pace. Then we have Pollard, who is a real disruptor going forward. He might give the ball away now and again, but the Colts defence had no option but to haul him to the ground on several occasions.
The faster pace of the game and the creation of space opened things up for Clydebank, and we dominated the last twenty minutes. It was no shock when the second goal arrived, and it was a beauty from Dom Docherty. He took one touch from a Josh Jack corner, swivelled and lashed the ball into the top corner.
For me, it was a bit of a mixed bag today. Cumbernauld finished sixth in the Lowland League last season, so it was a useful workout for the players. There are one or two established names from last season who should be a bit concerned about their place in the team going forward, though.
Pollard is the one who has surprised me most, and doing some fairly basic calculations would suggest that there are going to be a few disappointed faces come the start of the season.
The Bankies travel to Broxburn for the next pre-season instalment next Saturday, which should be another strong test against one of the top Lowland League sides from last season.
Match report written by Stuart McBay
