Clydebank Post | Sport | Can’t shake the cup hangover

Friday, 4th July, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 23rd April, 2008 10:00

Can’t shake the cup hangover

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Clydebank 1 Vale of Clyde 2

CLYDEBANK’S Scottish Cup hangover continued with a narrow defeat against the promotion favourites Vale of Clyde.

Budgie McGhie’s side have taken just one point from their three league games since exiting the Junior game’s premier tournament at the quarter final stage.

The defeat on Monday night all but ended any slim promotion hopes the Glenhead Park outfit harboured.

But they can take heart in a much-improved performance which suggested an upturn in results may not be too far away.

McGhie made tactical and personnel changes from the previous week’s draw against East Kilbride with Alan Jack and Barry Docherty added to an attack-minded starting line up.

Jack almost opened the scoring on 10 minutes when a speculative 40-yard effort almost caught Stephen Johnstone off his line. The keeper showed quick feet to scramble back and paw the ball clear.

There was little to separate the teams in the opening exchanges with both giving as good as they got.

But just after the half hour mark, Vale of Clyde took the lead with a goal that owed more to luck than skill.Paul McLaughlin’s shot seemed to be heading into the arms of Barry John Corr but took a vicious deflection before trundling over the line.

The same player almost doubled the lead on the break when he cut inside and fired a fierce right foot drive which Corr did well to push wide.

Clydebank hit back on 50 minutes when Paul Craig (pictured left) volleyed home from just inside the box after Mark Bowie flicked on a Docherty free kick. It was a fine strike and no less than the big striker deserved.

Bankies dominated play for a while after that and looked as if they would push on for a great win. Jack almost caught Johnstone napping at his near post with a cheeky drive for the home side’s best effort.

But Vale of Clyde showed what they were made of, responding with a series of impressive efforts. Corr kept his side in it with stunning saves from McLaughlin and Lee Morrison, the latter’s effort looking a certain goal until the keeper’s outstretched hand somehow stopped it on the line.

Unfortunately, 15 minutes from time he could do little about the Vale taking the lead when Ryan McGregor stole in at the back post to prod home a corner.

Bankies threw everything into chasing another leveller but were reduced to 10 men when Jerry Packham pulled down Brian Johnston as he raced in on goal.

Still, they had a chance to rescue a point in stoppage time when Bowie was presented with a golden opportunity after Brian Miller’s effort came back off a post. But with the goal at his mercy, he blasted over the bar from just three yards out.

Clydebank face another tough test this Saturday when Kilwinning Rangers visit the Hibby. Kick off 2pm.

Clydebank: Corr, Docherty (Lennox), McInnes, Packham, Sinclair, Hailstones, Kenna (Miller), Lappin, Jack, Craig, Bowie. Subs not used: Proctor, Sutherland, Gonet.

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