Bankies face league leaders in top form

Published 16 Dec 2009 15:00

RED-HOT Bankies had the game tied up with barely half an hour gone on a freezing cold day at Holm Park.

Three well-made goals saw Clydebank race into an unassailable lead against a hard-working Dalry side.

The result sets up a festive cracker on Saturday when Budgie McGhie's men face table toppers Rutherglen Glencairn in the Super League First Division's game of the day.

But it wasn't all good news for the Bankies gaffer, who saw strikers Stevie Dallas and Mark Hailstones pick up injuries that could keep them out at the weekend.

Nicky Cairney opened the scoring in two minutes when he burst on to an Alan Vezza pass to tuck the ball away from 16 yards.

It was a composed finish from the young midfielder, who has shown great versatility in the different midfield roles he has been asked to perform in his first season in Junior football.

Bankies doubled their lead when a fantastic four-man move was capped with a volleyed finished from Mark Hailstones.

Vezza, again, was involved, breaking up play before moving the ball to skipper Gary Lynn, who picked out Hailstones with a perfect pass

The forward then fed Brian Smith and ran into the box to convert the winger's inch-perfect cross.

Neil Sanderson served warning that Dalry weren't there to make up the numbers when his header beat Stefan Gonet, but came back off a post.

Normal service was resumed at the other end a minute later when the home side, after clearing the danger, made it three.

Hailstones played his part with a great deep cross that was watched all the way and controlled by strike partner Dallas, whose angled shot was turned home by Smith.

So with 32 minutes gone, the match was virtually over as contest.

Bankies did their best to restore some competitiveness to the contest when a minute after the break a defensive mix-up presented Bob Hay with the chance to pull one back for Dalry. It was the last thing they needed after such an impressive first-half performance.

Manager McGhie could have also done without the injuries picked up by Dallas and Hailstones.

Both could now miss out on Saturday's massive match against Rutherglen Glencairn.

But the Bankies boss was upbeat as he contemplated the eagerly anticipated clash on the back of what is now a six-match winning run.

He said: "We'll assess the fitness of the players later in the week but I am pleased that we are going into such a big game after some good results. No matter who is playing they will do their best to keep this run going"

Bankies chairman Gordon Robertson urged supporters to travel through to Rutherglen in huge numbers to give the team their backing.

He said: "This is such a big match and I hope our fans turn out in their droves to support the team. They deserve it. Glencairn are the team to beat so it should be a great match. Bring it on."

To book seats on the supporters buses for Rutherglen call Fred on 07890410606. Buses leave Hardgate at 12.15pm, picking up at The Atlantis at 12.25pm and Holm Park at 12.30pm.

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 16 Dec 09

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