Clydebank 2
Ayr Utd 2
League (Division 2)

Match Report

This match was switched to the Friday night due to the Scotland England match on Saturday.

Clydebank were robbed of the two points as referee Elliott awarded Ayr United a controversial penalty kick just three minutes from time when the ball struck Eddie Moore's hands inside the box. This was purely accidental but the ref was adamant.

Ayr were the more prominent side in the first half but they just could not score although they had plenty of chances. Hawkshaw was there with a chance on 20 minutes when all he had to do was ram the ball home but he shot wildly past the post with keeper Madden well beaten.

Clydebank were hardly in the game and their co-ordination up front left much to be desired. The defence was also shaky.

Near half time they almost went ahead when Hay thundered in a rocket shot which rebounded to Fleming. The centre slashed the ball over to Moy in the middle but the inside right was caught on the wrong foot and the ball was eventually cleared.

Dick Madden was having a great game for Clydebank and brought off several fine saves.

The biggest worry that the Bankies had to deal with in the Ayr attack was Ingram at centre who kept the home defence on their toes.

John Baxter was out of the team and in his place was young Jimmy Caskie who had a quiet first half. He had one goal effort but his shot was too weak but it was an omen of things to come.

Right winger Eddie Rutherford was the only Bankie forward on his game in the first half and he opened up the Ayr defence on many occasions but there was no one up front to receive his service.

Whatever Jack Steedman said to his players at half time it definitely worked because they came out fighting.

That man Ingram shocked us though for, with Eddie Moore on his tail, he moved over with the ball to the left of the Bankies goal then he let loose a great shot which beat Madden all ends up.

Moore should have taken the centre forward before he shot but he hesitated that second too long.

After this goal we saw a dramatic change in the Bankies approach and they began to hit back with all the skill at their disposal.

Bankies just ran riot and the Ayr players were kicking the ball anywhere. Caskie cottoned onto the ball about 30 yards out and lofted it goalwards.

The keeper stood shock still watched as the ball crashed into the back of the net. The youngster leapt into the air as this was his first goal for the first team.

In the 70th minute young Douglas Hay went off and was replace by Tommy McGhee, great favourite with the Bankies crowd.

One man who surprised me in the second half was Jim Fleming. The chased and fought for every ball.

Transfer seeking Tony Moy put another couple of bob on his transfer fee when scored one of the best goals he's ever scored in 79 minutes, despite the fact he looked offside.

Fleming pushed the ball forward and Tony ran onto it. He outstripped the Ayr defence and he slammed the ball past the oncoming Ayr keeper, Stewart, to see the ball go right into the left hand corner of the net. This was a real classic.

Bankies pushed hard for another to settle the game and they were on top right up to the end but then a bombshell!

The referee awarded that penalty and for a moment I thought he was going to be bottled to death. Malone was the man to take the spot kick which he converted successfully to rescue a point for the Honest men.