St Mirren 3
Clydebank 0
League (Division 2)

Match Report

Despite the scoreline suggesting a comfortable victory, St Mirren were made to work hard for the two points against a determined Clydebank side. The Bankies refused to give up the fight, but ultimately lacked the finishing touch to cause a real upset.

Clydebank peppered the Saints' goal with chances throughout the match, particularly in the second half. However, their profligacy in front of goal proved costly. On three separate occasions, they were denied by the heroics of goalkeeper Thorburn.

St Mirren themselves struggled to find their rhythm, with even the highly-rated Jim Blair failing to consistently influence the game. Their only goal in the first hour came courtesy of Kane, who finished after a neat pass from Blair.

Disaster struck for Clydebank midway through the second half. Goalkeeper Dick Madden was forced off with a shoulder injury after a collision with Kane. Substitute Moore replaced him between the posts, while Baxter came on outfield. Saints also made a change, bringing on Adamson for Duffy.

Clydebank's woes deepened when makeshift goalkeeper Moore misjudged a corner, allowing Blair a simple header to double the lead. Kane then added a third with a well-placed header from an Adamson cross, putting the game beyond reach for the Bankies.

Despite the uninspiring performance, there were some bright spots for St Mirren. Thorburn, McFadden, Renton, and Kane all put in commendable performances.

For a valiant Clydebank, credit goes to Madden, Collumbine, debutant Ruddy, and King for their spirited displays. Unfortunately, the loss of Madden and their inability to convert chances proved decisive.

The injury to Madden is a bitter blow for Clydebank, with the goalkeeper likely to miss the rest of the season. However, 17-year-old Dennis Ruddy's impressive debut performance offers a glimmer of hope for the future, joining Jimmy Caskie and Douglas Hay as exciting young prospects in the squad.

Match report written by Adapted by Stuart McBay