Clydebank Post | Sport | CRUISE CONTROL 10/08/06

Friday, 29th August, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 9th August, 2006 09:17

CRUISE CONTROL 10/08/06

By SPORTSCENE

Budgie's boys get off to a great start

CLYDEBANK cruised to a comfortable victory in their first home game of the season thanks to a dream double from Derek Forbes either side of a fine strike from Mark Hailstones.

All three goals came in a devastating 15 minute spell in the first half and were enough to put Bankies top of their league cup section.

But before Forbes broke the deadlock with a great first time finish from Alan Jack's perfectly weighted pass, they had debut keeper Jim Chalmers to thank for keeping the score sheet blank with a great one-handed save.

Midway through the half, Hailstones turned his marker inside out before curling home a right foot drive to open his account for the season, with Jack once again the architect.

Budgie McGhie's side had the game sewn up just after the half hour mark when Forbes wheeled inside the box to place a left foot shot pass Perthshire's Stevie Johnstone after great work from Andy Kenna.

The new look Bankies with only four players in the side who were there last season and wearing their all yellow Nike strip, were turning on the style.

One of those players, John Cunningham, only just passed a late fitness test on the ankle injury he picked up at St Andrews last month.

The big centre half turned in a fine performance in the heart of the defence and came close to scoring as well with a thumping header from a Lappin corner.

After establishing such a commanding lead so early, you would have been forgiven for thinking a hammering was on the cards.

But plucky Perthshire, with ex-Bankie Graeme Dempsey in the ranks, came storming back.

They created a couple of decent openings after the break and midfielder Stevie McGovern hit the bar with a fierce drive.

At the other end they kept Clydebank at bay mainly through Johnstone who denied Forbes his hat trick on two occasions with excellent saves.

Young sweeper Barry Docherty had to go off with a knock near the end but with Chalmers in fine form the clean sheet was never under any threat in the closing stages.

Clydebank team: Chalmers, McInnes, Williamson, Docherty, Cunningham, Lappin, Hoey, Kenna, Jack, Forbes, Hailstones.

This result followed the midweek point Clydebank picked up against Yoker in an entertaining Burgh Derby at Holm Park.

Clydebank took the lead with a great strike by Clinton Maxwell after Gordon Lappin tied the Whe Ho defence in knots.

Yoker drew level when Brian Smith ghosted to the back post to head home a free kick and then had a great chance to take the lead from the penalty spot.

The game ended with honours even, with Budgie McGhie's side still to end their Holm Park hoodoo.

Clydebank are at Maryhill on Saturday before entertaining Ashfield at Glenhead Park Wednesday August 16.

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