Queen of South 2
Clydebank 2
Scottish Cup (2nd Preliminary Round)

Match Report

Queen of the South must have needed a change of underwear after this nail-biting encounter. With only four minutes remaining, the home side were left rueing their missed chances after the Bankies snatched a dramatic equaliser.

Local supporters, confident of a victory against the "Kilbowie Terrors," were quickly forced to adjust their expectations. Queen of the South, boasting a formidable home record, seemed poised to punish the underdogs. To the relief of the 100 or so travelling Bankies fans, their team refused to play the role of the sacrificial lamb.

The home side started with a flurry, with two menacing efforts by inside left Lex Law testing the reflexes of Dick Madden and the Clydebank defence. However, the Bankies weathered the early storm and began to exert pressure of their own. This tactic paid dividends in the 20th minute when a Baxter header from a Moy cross created a scoring opportunity for Arthur Paterson, but his header sailed just wide.

The first half continued in a similar vein, with both sides creating chances but failing to convert. Just before the break, however, disaster struck for the Bankies. A McChesney free kick found Mike Jackson, a former Clyde and Celtic player, unmarked in the box. Davie Mitchell hesitated, expecting an offside call that never came, and Jackson duly punished the lapse in concentration, firing the ball past the helpless Madden.

Queen of the South fans were jubilant, dreaming of a repeat of their previous five-goal drubbing of the Bankies. However, they underestimated the fighting spirit of the Clydebank team. A dropped header by keeper Allan Ball almost gifted Bankies the equaliser in the 38th minute, and Tommy McGhee cam close just before half-time.

Then came the moment that sent the Bankies faithful into a frenzy. Just seconds before the whistle blew, Arthur Paterson whipped the ball across the goal. Jim Fleming and Tony Moy missed it, but the onrushing John Baxter arrived like a freight train to smash the ball into the net, leaving keeper Ball with no chance. It was a dramatic end to a pulsating first half.

The second half was a display of attacking football from both sides, though Queens of the South squandered a multitude of chances. Lex Law, the only decent Queen of the South forward was particularly wasteful, blasting a golden opportunity past the post in the 50th minute.

Substitute Eddie Jenkins replaced Tommy McGhee in the 70th minute after the latter picked up a knock. And wouldn't you know it, the ever-reliable Tony Moy found himself on the scoresheet once again. Battling his way through a crowded penalty area, he unleashed a powerful shot past Ball to put the Bankies in the lead.

Panic ensued for the home side, who threw on substitute George Siddle. Their desperate attempts paid off in the 86th minute when Lex Law, who had worked tirelessly throughout the match, finally found the net. A pinpoint cross from Jimmy Davison found the head of the "wee man," who directed the ball into the back of the net.

The remaining four minutes were a tense affair. Surprisingly, it was the Bankies who threatened the most, with Tony Moy inadvertently blocking a certain goal from Stan King in the dying moments.

In the end, a thrilling 2-2 draw was a fair reflection of the game. While Queen of the South might feel they should have won, the Bankies will be delighted to take the tie back to Kilbowie for a replay.

Match report written by Adapted by Stuart McBay