Clydebank Post | Sport | 'Side blasted

Wednesday, 19th November, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 3rd October, 2007 09:45

'Side blasted

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Clydebank 3 Kilbirnie Ladeside 2

BANKIES edged out their North Ayrshire opponents in a five-goal thriller at Glenhead.

Bottom side Kilbirnie Ladeside came to the Hibby looking for their first league points of the season.

But the visitors turned in an impressive performance and didn’t deserve to head back to the Garnock Valley empty handed.

Mark Hailstones gave Bankies an early lead when he cut inside Steven Rosenthal to drill a low drive past Ryan Ward

It was the perfect start, but Ladeside soon showed the qualities that have left many mystified as to why they are bottom of the league.

Stefan Gonet was back in Budgie McGhie’s team for his first game since the big keeper twisted his knee in a pre-season match. It was a triumphant return for the former Morton man who pulled off a string of excellent saves.

He could do little though when Alan Kinnie levelled the match on 24 minutes, side footing the ball home after another good Blasties’ move.

Clydebank’s response to Kilbirnie pressure, though, was impressive, and 10 minutes later they were back in front.

A low Alan Jack free kick crept in at the back post, and at first it looked as if Andy Kenna had got a touch, but it was confirmed after the match as Jack’s goal.

There was no doubt about the influential midfielder’s next effort, though, which gave the Bankies a 3-1 half time lead.

Jack has had an impressive start to the season and Bankies’ fans know they can expect the unexpected from the former Arthurlie man.

When the ball broke to him, a couple of yards inside the Kilbirnie half, he spotted Ward off his line and flighted a wonderful chip over the hapless keeper’s head.

The action didn’t let up after the break with both teams having decent chances to score.

Rosenthal was sent off for a last-man challenge on big Paul Craig, but a twisted knee for Jimmy Duncan when Bankies had used all their sub meant it was 10 v 10 for the closing stages.

Kilbirnie made it an uneasy period for Bankies thanks to an excellent goal from Jamie Longworth.

But Clydebank held out for a welcome win that maintains their unbeaten start to the season.

This Saturday, Bankies face Scone Thistle in the Scottish Junior Cup at Glenhead Park. The first round tie kicks off at 3pm.

Coming from a Perthshire town more famous for its palace than its football team, although they tasted success when they lifted the Tayside League Cup in 2005-06.

Scone played their first season in the East Premier League last season but were relegated back into the East Central League, previously known as the Fife district league.

Their most famous player is the one and only George Best, who played a charity match for Scone after the club secretary chanced his luck and approached Best’s agent, Bill McMurdo.

He was amazed when the answer was yes and the footballing legend played for 20 minutes as a substitute in a 14-0 victory over Scone Amateurs.

This season has been unspectacular for Scone as they sit mid-table with six points from five matches — but they have drawn both their away games which should serve as a warning to Clydebank.

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