Queen of South 1
Clydebank 2
League Cup (Group 6)

Match Report

Queen of the South's profligate finishing proved costly as they fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat against Clydebank. Despite dominating possession and creating more chances, the Queens lacked a killer instinct in the final third, ultimately succumbing to a resilient Clydebank defence.

The home side started brightly, launching attack after attack in the opening stages. However, their forwards, with the exception of Mitchell and Law to a lesser extent, lacked guile and composure in front of goal.

Clydebank, on the other hand, owed their success to a well-drilled and resolute defence. McMillan and his colleagues were particularly impressive in the early exchanges, thwarting Queens' attempts to break through. Goalkeeper Madden also stood firm, pulling off some key saves to keep the visitors in the game.

A stroke of fortune swung the momentum in Clydebank's favour on the stroke of half-time. A controversial penalty decision saw Hawkshaw convert from the spot after Mark Watson handled the ball on the line. This goal seemed to inject some life into the Clydebank attack, but their finishing mirrored that of the Queens, leaving much to be desired.

The second half began with a bang, as Clydebank centre-half McMillan stepped up to show the forwards how it's done. He hooked a low shot past the Queens' goalkeeper, doubling the Bankies' lead.

This setback briefly jolted the home side into action. They infused their play with more urgency, and Law pulled one back with a well-placed header, sparking hope for a comeback.

However, Clydebank refused to crumble under pressure. They tightened up at the back and weathered the Queens' storm, ultimately deserving victors for their resolute defensive display.

The closing minutes saw a heart-warming moment for the visitors. 17-year-old Dougie Hay, who tirelessly covered every inch of the pitch throughout the game, succumbed to a knee injury. He limped off the field and was replaced by another 17-year-old, Danny Gray, making his senior debut for the Bankies.

Despite only having a minute and a half to showcase his skills, Danny received a pat on the back and a playful compliment from his teammate Gerry O'Brien: "you played terrific, Danny." This light-hearted exchange provided a fitting end to a hard-fought encounter, highlighting the youthful spirit within the Clydebank ranks.

Match report written by Adapted by Stuart McBay