Queen's Park 4
Clydebank 0
League (Division 2)

Match Report

A blizzard transformed Clydebank's home clash with Queens Park into a skating rink, making fluid football an impossible dream. Despite a promising start, the Bankies were ultimately outplayed and succumbed to a 4-0 defeat.

Clydebank manager Jack Steedman was forced to shuffle his pack, with Eddie Moore filling in at right-half and Devlin replacing Moore upfront. The makeshift line-up showed early promise, with Tony Moy firing a shot over the bar in the opening ten minutes.

However, Queens Park gradually asserted their dominance. Their right-winger, Emery, was a constant thorn in the side of the Clydebank defence, creating numerous opportunities that his teammates spurned.

The deadlock was finally broken on the half-hour mark. A loose ball on the left found MacKay, whose cross somehow squirmed through goalkeeper Madden's legs. The unmarked Hunter gleefully slammed the ball home from close range, leaving Clydebank shellshocked.

The second half mirrored the first, with Queens Park dictating play. A well-taken free kick from Hay in the 65th minute found the head of Mackay, who produced a stunning diving header to send the ball beyond Madden's despairing reach.

With the game effectively over, Steedman brought on Pat Henderson for McAleer in a desperate attempt to change the tide, but it proved futile. Moore, frustrated by a rash tackle from behind, retaliated and earned a yellow card, summing up a frustrating afternoon for the Bankies.

Queens Park added a third in the 73rd minute when a goalmouth scramble resulted in Hunter bundling the ball over the line. Shortly after, Buchanan replaced the impressive MacKay, but not before picking up a booking for a verbal altercation with Madden.

Clydebank's performance nosedived after the third goal, with only Arthur Paterson showing any real fight. His excellent passing and tireless work ethic stood out amidst a dispirited display.

Queens Park further extended their lead in the 77th minute with a fortunate deflection. A shot from Hay took a wicked bounce, leaving the Bankies goalkeeper helpless as the ball squirmed into the net. This marked the fourth and final goal of the match.

Clydebank's only other decent chance of the second half fell to McGhee, but his effort was well saved.

Despite the scoreline, Paterson's performance offered a glimmer of hope for the dejected Clydebank fans. His determination and composure were a welcome sight on an otherwise forgettable afternoon.

News from the Pavilion:

- Frank McAleer's injury woes continue after a recurrence of his knee problem in the Queens Park game.
- Eddie Moore and Tommy McGhee join the growing list of injured players.
- With seven players side-lined, the Steedman management team is frustrated by the season's injury crisis. They are yet to field their preferred starting eleven.
- However, there is good news on the horizon with Eddie Rutherford and Jim Fleming expected to return for the match against Arbroath.
- Youngster Douglas Hay impressed on his debut for Scotland's youth team, playing at full back in their 5-0 win over England. Alan Munro was an unused substitute.

Match report written by Adapted by Stuart McBay