Clydebank 2
Arbroath 3
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Harry Rutherford netted for the second game in a row, firing home a 20-yard drive after just two minutes to put Clydebank ahead with a surprise lead.

However, Arbroath, a team chasing promotion this season, equalised just seven minutes later through Dennis Bruce, their signing from Aberdeen Sunnybank who was being watched by a Leeds United scout.

Arbroath are a skilful, attacking team and they showed their quality by defeating Hamilton Accies 4-0 last week. Bruce went on to score another goal, both times set up by right winger Easton.

A Preston North End scout was also present at Kilbowie but refused to reveal who he was watching, although he did remark that he wasn't there for no reason.

Back in the Bankies side were Tommy McGhee and John Boyd. Eddie Rutherford, John Baxter and Stan King all remained sidelined through injury.

Clydebank's luck took another turn for the worse when centre forward Eddie Moore was forced off after half an hour with what appeared to be an ankle injury. Arthur Paterson came on as a substitute.

After an exciting opening, the game settled down and became fairly even, but Bankies lacked a cutting edge in attack.

Jim Jack, playing in central midfield for Arbroath, missed a golden opportunity when he scuffed a pass from Kennedy while standing right in front of the home goal.

"Dennis the menace" struck again in the 42nd minute, hammering home from close range after a rebound off Bankies centre-half Frank McAleer following an Easton corner.

Early in the second half, Harry Rutherford had a chance to equalise but his shot, which beat the goalkeeper, went just wide of the post.

Bruce was booked in the 57th minute for a foul on McAleer, who had to go off for a few minutes of treatment.

Tony Moy must be one of the unluckiest players in Scottish football. Throughout matches, he seems to miss scoring chances by inches. This game was no different.

In the 61st minute, Tony collected a ball in midfield and drove towards goal. From about 25 yards out, he unleashed a powerful shot that cannoned off the post and rebounded to Harry Rutherford. His follow-up shot struck a defender and was eventually cleared.

A couple of minutes later, Easton made amends for his earlier miss by playing a part in a goal scored by centre forward Jack.

This sparked Clydebank into life and they pushed hard to maintain their unbeaten home record. Russell's corner was headed back in and Frank McAleer rose like a bird to power the ball into the net to pull one back for the Bankies.

Unfortunately, the equaliser wouldn't come. Arbroath defended resolutely and Bankies struggled to break them down. In fact, the visitors nearly extended their lead late on.

Match report written by Adapted by Stuart McBay