Clydebank 1
Dumbarton 3
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Clydebank’s county derby against Dumbarton on Saturday was decided by a ruthless one-minute spell from Sons forward Hugh McMahon, whose quickfire double late in the second half sealed the points for the visitors in what had been an otherwise tightly-contested and entertaining encounter.

The match was played at a cracking pace throughout, with both sides contributing to an open and enjoyable 90 minutes. Clydebank more than matched their experienced neighbours for long spells and could consider themselves unfortunate not to take something from the game.

The first half was evenly balanced, and the Bankies looked marginally the more threatening side going forward. That made it all the more frustrating when they went in at the break a goal down, courtesy of a soft concession three minutes before the interval. A speculative low shot from Dumbarton’s inside-right McGowan should have been routine for Ronnie Wilson, but the keeper spilled the ball at the feet of winger McDonald, who made no mistake from close range.

After the restart, both sides took some time to settle into the half. Then, just before the hour mark, Kilbowie erupted as Tommy McGhee produced a moment of magic to bring Clydebank level. From fully 30 yards out on the left flank, he unleashed a thunderous drive into the far corner—Crawford in the Dumbarton goal had no chance.

Galvanised by the equaliser, Clydebank pushed forward in search of a winner. But in a cruel twist, it was the Sons who struck the decisive blows. With just over ten minutes remaining, Hugh McMahon twice found space behind the Bankies defence, each time calmly slipping the ball past the advancing Wilson. The goals, scored in the 77th and 78th minutes, were near carbon copies, and they knocked the stuffing out of the home side.

There was no way back for Clydebank after that double blow, and Dumbarton were able to see out the match comfortably.

Despite the result, there were positives to take. The Bankies played with spirit and matched their more seasoned opponents for most of the afternoon. But in the end, a brief lapse at the back and a clinical finisher in McMahon made the difference.

Match report written by Stuart McBay