Clydebank 2
Queen of South 1
League (Division 1)

Match Report

Goals from twin strikers Blair Millar and Tom Coyne gave Clydebank the two points they needed to keep them up with the pack in the promotion race.

But the scoreline does not tell the story of what went on off the ball. For the gain of two more vital points for Bankies was overshadowed by two ugly incidents which saw two men ordered off and one booked.

First, minutes after Coyne had put Clydebank 2-0 up, Tony Gervaise needlessly slapped Queens' Willie Gordon after the latter refused to part with the ball at a free kick. Then in an after-match fracas, an incensed Gerry McCabe retaliated after visitors' winger Jimmy Robertson kicked the ball at him. The players were separated by team-mates, and after the dust had settled, Robertson was given a five-point caution - the equivalent of a sending-off- and McCabe was booked.

Both flashpoints came in a second half full of drama - more drama, at least than the first 45 minutes contained. All that lacklustre period had to offer was a lovely Blair Millar goal after 34 minutes - his 15th of the season.

After the break both sides showed more urgency (although considering the crime rate that may be a bit of an understatement) and Bankies, with Gerry Ronald yet again showing just how good a player he is, played well in that second half, but yet again failed in front of goal.

The two chances which did go in, however, were both beautifully worked and clinically put away.

Gerry Ronald made the first for Millar, dragging the Queens' defence to the right before cutting the ball back behind them to leave the No. 9 the easiest of tasks to beat veteran keeper Alan Ball in the bottom corner of the net.

The second and clinching goal came out of nothing. Gerry McCabe picked the ball up in the middle of the park, took a few strides and let fly a fierce, dipping drive which deceived the QoS goalkeeper and bounced off the crossbar. Tom Coyne was left on his own to slam the loose ball home from six yards.

Shortly afterwards, Gervaise was sent off and Bankies obviously settled for their goals. I got that impression after Blair Millar moved to left back! Queens came back after this and ex-Airdrie winger Kevin McCann's fine solo goal two minutes from time gave the score some respectability.

So Bankies got the win they needed and with Hearts failing yet again this leaves them joint third along with improving Kilmarnock.

To be fair, Clydebank did what they had to do against a Queens side who will have to do something pretty special from now until the end of the season if they hope to stay in this league.

What must be worrying both players and management at Kilbowie is the continuing failure of the forwards to put away chances. Blair Millar, for instance, is already on the 15-goal mark. But the mind boggles at the kind of total he could have if he started putting away chances such as he was given on Saturday when he missed three which really should have gone in.

When Clydebank cure this finishing problem - and Blair is by no means the biggest culprit - then they will be going places.