FIVE-STAR Bankies got back to winning ways with a 5-2 win over Petershill on Saturday, writes David Brockett. 

A double from Nicky Little and goals from Peter McGill, Mark Burbidge and Alan Vezza saw Bankies run out worthy winners in a game that also saw Josh Lumsden save two penalty kicks.

Bankies boss Budgie McGhie made three changes to the side that lost to Linlithgow Rose, with Jamie Lyden, Mark Burbidge and Stevie Young earning a recall to the starting eleven in place of Calum Gow, Joel Kasubandi and Phil Barclay respectively.

Clydebank came flying out the traps and were ahead inside three minutes. Great work down the right saw Burbidge burst down the channel and cut the ball back to Alan Vezza, who in turn, fed Peter McGill who curled a first time shot past Mikey White in the Peasy goal.

Less than ten seconds after the restart, Petershill were awarded a penalty when Andy Paterson was adjudged to have fouled in the box. Liam Finnigan stepped up to the spot, but Lumsden was equal to it and Bankies’ slender lead remained intact.

Midway through the first half, Bankies doubled their lead. A perfectly timed and weighted through ball from Robbie Halliday found Burbidge, with the pacey winger running through and slotting the ball past White.

Six minutes later, Bankies added a third. From McGill’s corner on the left, captain Alan Vezza found space at the back post and nodded in his third goal of the season.

And, on the stroke of half time, it got even better for McGhie’s men with the award of a spot kick of their own for handball. Nicky Little assumed responsibility, powering his penalty beyond the fingertips of White.

Five minutes after the restart, Petershill pulled a goal back. Experienced striker Chris Hall found space inside the box and volleyed well past Lumsden as the Springburn outfit looked to salvage something from the game.

It wasn’t to be, though, as Nicky Little scored his second and Clydebank’s fifth of the afternoon in incredible style. Substitute Cammy Haddow laid the ball of to Little 25 yards from goal, with last season’s top scorer taking a touch before rifling a sensational strike into the top corner, giving White absolutely no chance.

The visitors continued to go in search of a goal and found one with eight minutes remaining. Miscommunication in the Bankies back line saw Lumsden needlessly rush out, with Hall instinctively lobbing to grab his second of the game.

As the clock struck 90 minutes, Petershill were awarded their second spot kick after Darroch fouled. Finnigan again stepped up to take it, and once against Lumsden was on hand to push the ball away as Bankies moved up to third in the table.

Next up is a trip to Rutherglen Glencairn, kick off at the Celsius Stadium on Saturday is 2pm.