Published: Wednesday, 19th September, 2007 10:00
Clydebank unbeaten
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Johnstone Burgh 1 Clydebank 1
Johnstone Burgh 1 Clydebank 1
ALAN Jack rescued a point for the Bankies with his second half strike, in a hard fought encounter against Johnstone Burgh at Keanie Park.
Both sides finished with ten men and a further eleven were booked in a match, although keenly contested, was never dirty.
Chris Wilson was back between the sticks for Bankies’ third away league game on the trot, and Mark Hailstones made his first League start of the season.
Keanie Park was in great condition, however the swirling wind would make it a difficult proposition for both sets of players. Burgh had the wind at their back in the first half and were first to adapt. Their long ball game suiting the blustery conditions.
Clydebank’s first shot at goal came from Alan Jack, with a free kick that sailed wildly over the bar, and he was involved again moments later when he picked up a loose ball and opted to shoot from fully 30 yards.
Again, as was to be a feature of the game, the midfielders shot was well over the top
Hailstones had the ball in the net after a quarter of an hour, but the ref harshly adjudged Paul Craig’s challenge on the keeper as a foul.
Clydebank then had a good 10-minute spell of pressure with several chances created.
Lennox got on the end of a fine Lappin cross, but his header was off target, before he turned provider, whipping a cross into the box that found Carr, but the striker, at full stretch, could only direct the ball straight at keeper Donohoe.
As the Bankies searched for the opening goal, further opportunities came to Jack, Carr, and Hailstones but they were unable to convert any of the chances that came their way
They were to rue these misses as Burgh took the lead on 28 minutes when the defence were caught out by a long ball which, with Wilson in no-mans land, left Brolly with an easy task to knock it past the keeper and into the net.
The game became bogged down in the lead up to the break and only a Jack shot that went wide, after a neat one-two with Kenna and a header flashed wide by Brolly were the only chances of note.
As the second half started, Bankies had Burgh on the back foot and Lennox played in Carr on the edge of the box but the striker put the ball narrowly wide.
Hailstones then shot over before Davie Carr cut inside brilliantly, leaving three men in his wake, but his shot deflected wide for a corner.
Carr, again, was on the end of the flag kick but his header hit a defender — all this within the opening five minutes, and a penalty claim waved away by the ref as the crowd shouted for handball.
Bankies made two changes that surprised many, as Lennox and Sutherland were withdrawn for Allum and Soutar, but they were level within a minute.
Paul Craig turned his marker superbly on the left hand side, and fired in a low cross that found Alan Jack, on his own, who showed great composure to calmly slot the ball into the corner of the net.
After the goal, the Bankies failed to capitalise on their early good work, and with their boisterous style, Burgh forced their way back into the match.
Brolly had a glorious chance to give Burgh the lead with only 12 minutes remaining, as the big striker turned a free header past the post from only six yards with the goal gaping.
The referee had been card happy all day, and it was no surprise when he produced not one, but two reds when a throw in down the right flank led to a tussle between Lappin and Armour.
It seemed innocuous enough, but the ref instantly waved red cards at both players, and neither player complained, which suggested the ref had got it right.
A draw was a fair result as Burgh won’t give away too many points at Keanie Park with their physical presence and direct style of play.
All in all, The Bankies have got to be happy with five points from their opening three away games in the Super League. as the challenges are undoubtedly tougher, however the players have looked up to the task.
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SMITH A DOUBT FOR THISTLE