Clydebank 2
Queen's Park 0
League (Division 1)

Match Report

One of the saddest sights in football is always the man who has given everything and yet ends up on the losing side. Derek Atkins was that man at Kilbowie on Saturday.

The young Queen's Park goalkeeper turned in an immaculate performance to keep on- form Clydebank at bay, but still left the field on the wrong end of a beating.

The Bankie who finally managed to get past the impressive last line of defence was Bobby Williamson, who took his tally for the season to nine goals in yet another superb performance.

Looking as sharp and powerful as ever, the bustling striker scored on either side of half-time to sink the improving Hampden side.

His showing, added to that of Gerry McCabe and the rest of the side proved once again that if enthusiasm alone won championships, Bankies would have the title wrapped up by Christmas.

In the end, the points were won easily enough, but for a long time Clydebank struggled to find a way way through the Amateurs' defence.

Atkins was called upon several times to make brave saves off his line before Williamson broke the dead- lock.

A McCabe pass found him on the edge of the box. He nutmegged a defender and although Atkins parried his first shot, Bobby followed up to slam home the rebound.

Goal number two beautifully created ferociously put away. Bankies swept the ball from left to right and eventually found Ronald. He got down the edge of the area and crossed low to Williamson, who controlled the ball before thumping a terrific close-range shot high into the net.

After that, Atkins stood between Queen's and a bit of a hammering. He prevented Williamson completing his hat-trick with a couple of marvellous stops and generally turned in a brilliant example of his craft.

Representatives of Aberdeen, believed to be watching Gerry Ronald, must have been impressed by Atkins' bravery and 100 per cent concentration... but even more so by Williamson's super show.

But there were 11 other heroes. Young Donny Cameron, for instance. He stepped into the breach left by an injury to centre-back Budgie McGhie and played admirably. Luckily for Donald, he had the excellent Jim Fallon beside him to help him through the game, and he wisely decided that a defence which had just lost four goals in its last match was no place to try and be a hero.

His simple, but effective, use of the ball must have impressed his bosses, and, while first-team games may be few and far between for him and others like him, the more performances like this, the better.

All in all, it was a good day for Clydebank. They picked themselves up from Wednesday's drubbing to win well. But I get the feeling that this season may see them having to do that all too often.