Clydebank Post | Sport | CROWD SILENCED

Friday, 16th May, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 26th March, 2008 10:00

CROWD SILENCED

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KEEPING WATCH: Gordon Lappin and Colin Sutherland tussle for the ball in front of the packed Glenhead grandstand

Pic by: Alistair McVicar

Clydebank 0 v 1 Bathgate Thistle

A SINGLE strike from Paul McGrillen ended Bankies’ cup dreams in a disappointingly flat performance.

The former Motherwell and Falkirk striker — something of a hate figure after a dive in the first match — popped up with a header in the first half to silence his tormenters.

A bumper crowd of 982 packed into Glenhead Park, but while the flags and hooters are being packed away for another day, Budgie McGhie’s side can take heart from an impressive cup run which helped boost both the coffers and the confidence.

The match started in harum-scarum fashion, with neither side able to pick out a pass.

On 13 minutes, the ball nearly broke kindly off Mark Hailstones for strike partner Paul Craig inside the box then at the other end, Martin McInnes was at full stretch to divert the ball away from McGrillen’s path as he looked to burst through on goal.

With a quarter of an hour played, Thistle midfielder Iain Nicholson struck a pacy free kick narrowly wide with Barry John Corr rooted in the Bankies goal. Nicholson’s crosses were causing the Bankies defence problems, but it was from a Fraser Love delivery the visitor’s took the lead. Afforded too much time and space on the right, Love picked out the diminutive McGrillen who headed in at the near post from point blank range.

It took Bankies until five minutes before the break to register a shot on goal, Gordon Lappin finally working Thistle keeper Andy Carlin.

Hailstones had a chance 10 minutes after the restart but flicked his effort straight at Carlin then Lappin snatched at an effort from outside the box after he and McInnes had exchanged passes.

With half an hour left, referee Neil Waters waved away shouts for handball as Hailstone’s cross appeared to strike Stuart Hunter’s arm.

This was to be as close as Bankies came while Thistle striker McGrillen squandered two great chances to double the advantage, heading high and handsome from Nicholson’s whipped delivery then shooting narrowly wide after he found space and time on the edge of the box.

McGhie made changes, with Brian Miller replacing Hailstones while Andy Kenna also entered the fray but neither could muster enough of a threat. And it was the Thistle substitute who came closest, forcing Corr into a great block with 10 minutes left.

Bankies showed real determination until the final whistle but failed to create a clear cut chance and Bathgate progressed into the semi-finals.

The Clydebank gaffer refused to be dejected. He said: “I am a wee bit disappointed but you have to give credit to Bathgate who probably played the perfect game in their eyes.

“The crowd was quiet but that’s because we didn’t give them anything to shout about. It was only after we went a goal down that we started playing but it just didn’t happen for us today.”

His views were echoed by defender Jerry Packham, who turned in a solid performance at the back.

The Cheltenham man said: “Our game is based on starting at a high tempo and getting our noses infront but it was Bathgate who did that. We huffed and puffed but didn’t really work their keeper.

“It was my first experience of the Scottish Cup. I’d had loads of family and friends on the phone wishing me well and it is disappointing we didn’t make more of the chance.

“But we have an interesting couple of months ahead, with two thirds of our season still to play.”

Bankies: Barry John Corr, Paul Allum, Martin McInnes, Jerry Packham, Colin Sutherland, Sincy Soutar, Gordon Lappin, James Lennox, Alan Jack, Paul Craig, Mark Hailstones.

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