Clydebank Post | Sport | Port Prosper as Bankies plummet

Saturday, 17th May, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 30th April, 2008 10:20

Port Prosper as Bankies plummet

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KIL-JOYS: Brian Miller watches on as Paul Craig looks for a way past the Kilwinning back line

Clydebank 1 Port Glasgow 3

CLYDEBANK crashed out of the Central League Cup after a poor performance against lower league Port Glasgow.

It was the third home defeat on the trot for Budgie McGhie’s beleaguered side and by far their worst display for a while.

In the first minute it had all looked so promising when Mark Bowie appeared to nod home an Alan Jack free kick.

But the referee wasn’t fooled by the striker who punched the ball into the back of the net and earned a booking for his cheek.

Port Glasgow took the game to the Bankies who switched to a 3-5-2 system from their usual 4-4-2.

On seven minutes, the spirited Inverclyde outfit took the lead when Stewart Jack sent over a great cross from the left for Jim Brown to glance past Stefan Gonet.

Gonet, who replaced Barry John Corr between the sticks for his first start in six months, had no chance of stopping Brown’s deft header.

Bankies had a chance to level on 15 minutes but Brian Miller’s first time shot was hit straight at keeper Sean Graham.

But the visitors always looked the more dangerous side and only last gasp defending midway through the first half prevented Brown doubling his tally.

An uphill struggle became even more severe at the break when Docherty pulled up with a hamstring strain.

The young sweeper’s display was one of the few positives before he had to be withdrawn for Jerry Packham who had been struggling to shake off a chest infection.

Bankies huffed and puffed in the second half but a lack of punch in the final third meant they rarely troubled Graham.

Alan Jack attempted to curl a left-foot shot past the former Yoker keeper on 50 minutes but a Port defender headed clear.

The Port eventually doubled their lead 15 minutes from time when sub Adam Taylor, with the aid of a deflection, fired a low drive past Gonet.

Three minutes later Stewart Jack made it three nil with a wonderful drive from distance to leave Bankies on their knees.

In stoppage time Alan Jack did manage to grab a consolation for the home side when he rifled home a penalty after Bowie was felled in the box.

The Central League Cup was not a priority for Clydebank but ending a miserable run without a win was — and that is what made Monday night’s poor showing hard to take for everyone at the club.

Team: Gonet, Soutar, Lennox, Docherty (Packham), Allum, Hailstones, Jack, Lappin, Kenna (Proctor), Miller (Cunningham), Bowie.

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