Match Report
The lines between League Two of the SPFL and the clubs at the top of the Lowland League are becoming ever more blurred as Clydebank overwhelmed Kelty Hearts by four goals to two at New Central Park in the KDM Evolution Trophy.
Kelty will no doubt point to the fact that they made nine changes to their line-up from their Saturday league win at home to Dumbarton, but the Bankies also made five changes to the starting eleven which destroyed Gretna including top scorer Neil McLaughlin who was on the bench.
It may be that Kelty’s motivations in this tournament are not so much about progression but giving their fringe players an opportunity to impress the manager. However, in doing so they completely under-estimated the threat that Clydebank carry. If they thought that they had the strength in depth to take care of the Bankies as we play in a division below, then they were sadly mistaken.
Kelty did have the lead twice in the match, with both goals created by Innes Murray on swift counter attacks that breached the Bankies backline. Both of the homes sides scorers Moffett after nine minutes and Higginbotham were both Lowland League adversaries of the Bankies last season with Stirling Uni and Bonnyrigg Rose respectfully.
The opening goal came from a great through ball by Murray, and Moffett took it on at pace and rounded Stott before slamming the ball high into the net from a tight angle.
It did take the Bankies a wee while to get the measure of the home side’s pacy attack, but by the time the equaliser came after 23 minutes we were well in the game. Walczak brought out a fantastic save from Adamson after working a great one two with Mulcahy, and Nicky Little’s powerful header was just a wee bit too straight allowing the keeper to block it.
The goal itself was well worked from a quick throw-in with man of the match Blair Rossier providing the low cross for Ciaran Mulcahy whose clever back heel flick initially coming off the inside of the post. The striker was alert enough to stab the rebound over the line before the keeper could react.
As we approached half time the Bankies were well on top and Oisin McHugh was unlucky to see his low shot pushed away by the keeper on his left hand side as he attempted to net for the third straight game.
Unfortunately, Kelty scored with the classic sucker punch entirely against the run of play. Murray was the provider again this time with a ball over the top. Bankies keeper Owen Stott slightly delayed his attempt to meet the ball, and it really made-up Higginbotham’s mind for him who calmly lobbed the keeper.
Falling behind rattled the Bankies for a few minutes, but undeterred the visitors would go on to completely dominate the second half. It is difficult to recall Kelty having any shots at goal in the second period as Clydebank scored three of their own to run out winners by a considerable margin. Even introducing regular first team players from the bench such as McManus, Shanley, Hislop and Flatman made no discernible difference to the outcome of the game.
The Bankies had been knocking on the door long before the equaliser was scored after 55 minutes. A great Josh Jack delivery to the back post found Nicky Little who produced a lovely little knock back on the volley which took out the whole home defence. The in-coming Chris McGowan had all the time in the world to thrash the ball into the net from just outside the six yard box.
It was Jimmy Grant who turned the game on its head after 71 minutes. He had moments earlier flashed a header just wide of the target, but the goal had Blair Rossiter’s fingerprints all over it. This was you attackers best performance so far this season, and the way he weaved across the pitch the Kelty defenders were falling all over themselves. His final pass to Grant between two defenders was sublime, and Jimmy Grant’s finish topped of a superb goal.
The icing on the cake came with just seven minutes remaining. Josh Jack is showing signs of why Gordon Moffat brought him to the club, as he netted a fine free kick from 25 yards after Kieran Dolan was fouled.
This result means that the Bankies are in second place of the 40-team long league format in the challenge cup with full points alongside ten other clubs. The prospects of being one of the 22 clubs to progress to the knockout stage has increased with four matchdays remaining.
You can feel the Bankies getting into their stride now as the season unfolds. The schedule is causing some injury headaches, and we could really do with a new face in the centre of defence. We still look a bit vulnerable at the back, but equally the frontline is showing the dynamism and goalscoring prowess we thought it was capable of.
We continue on our travels over the next two Saturdays at Renfrew then Livingstone United, before embarking on a run of five home games in fifteen days starting with Alloa Athletic in Challenge cup.
Match report written by Stuart McBay
