Clydebank 2
Albion Rovers 2
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Bankies took the lead on two occasions in this match but on both occasions their lead was short-lived thanks to a ball of fire playing at centre forward for the visitors, Kenny Jenkins.

The sturdy centre forward was by far the best man on the field and was a constant threat to Bankies defence though Frank McAleer managed to contain him most of the time.

The game tended to get rather rough in the second half and in fact one player, Albion Rovers right winger Dillon was sent off in the 68th minute for a vicious foul on McAleer.

The injury jinx which has been with Bankies since the start of the season claimed another victim on Saturday. Tommy McGhee, Bankies sturdy right-half was carried off after only 30 minutes with an ankle injury. He went to hospital for an x-ray but no broken bones were found, only bad bruising. This will put him out of the game for a couple of weeks.

Meanwhile, Eddie Rutherford, the ex-Albion Rovers man who was injured in his first game for Bankies again Motherwell in a friendly, several weeks ago, is almost certain to go into hospital for a cartilage operation.

The scoring was opened in 44 minutes by Bankies inside-left, Tony Moy, who headed home a beautiful cross from left winger "big" John Baxter. The whistle for half-time was not blown by referee Ian Foote on 45 minutes and in the third minute of injury time Kenny Jenkins slammed home the first equaliser from a left wing cross.

Both teams tried desperately hard to grab the lead and out of the two teams I thought Albion Rovers were the more aggressive. They showed this by some fine shooting and kept Dick Madden busy in the home goal.

Dick has made some great saves in his day but in the 64th minute he certainly surpassed himself for instead of diving for the ball he went for left winger Dunne and immediately found himself facing a penalty kick.

Left back McMurray came up to take it and sent in a nice shot to the left hand corner of the goal but Dick must have read him like a book for, like a panther, he made a dive in that direction and turned the ball round the post. He had redeemed himself and I bet poor McMurray could have kicked himself.

In the 67th minute Bankies were awarded a corner on the left. As Frank McAleer went in for the cross he had the legs swept from under him by Dillon, who in turn was given his marching orders and Bankies were awarded a penalty.

Tony Moy took the spot kick and showed how it should be done. This put Bankies into what appeared to be a comfortable lead but that man Jenkins was on the ball again, and just five minutes from time he headed home a rather soft goal, which Madden should have saved, to give his team a point.

Gone from Kilbowie Park is Sandy MacLachlan, who was sold to Stranraer for a "moderate fee" last Thursday. Bankies scouts are now on the look out for a young goalkeeper that the club can keep in reserve if Dick Madden is ever injured.

Latest news from the pavilion is that Millwall among other English clubs are showing interest in Frank McAleer, who is considered one of the best middle men in the Scottish Second Division, but no firm offer has been made to the club as yet.

Another player who is being studied at the moment is inside man Tony Moy who was Bankies leading goal-getter last season. The club showing interest are American League side Detroit Cougars and it is reported that the American club may soon negotiate his transfer.

Jack Steedman said that the club will not stand in the way of any player but the only condition they ask for is that the club is well compensated if a transfer should take place.

Match report by Mark Cook (Clydebank Press)