Bankies ready for cup battle

Published 7 Apr 2010 13:00 0 Comments

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Clydebank 2

Maybole 1

BUDGIE McGhie laid it on the line for his players before Saturday's home clash with Maybole, declaring that it was a must-win match.

The Bankies gaffer spelled out how vital it was to gather all three points before the Scottish Junior Cup takes centre stage.

The message was taken on board and Clydebank turned in a fine performance against decent opposition.

The home side started on the front foot and Bole keeper Martin McAulay had a busy opening spell.

He pulled off two notable stops inside the first 15 minutes, firstly denying Mark Hailstones' excellent first time shot and then acting smartly to divert wide a deflected John Harvey cross.

But McAulay could do nothing to deny Stevie Dallas from opening the scoring on 21 minutes.

The experienced striker intelligently latched on to a towering Ross Campbell header that fell behind the Bole backline as they pushed out from defending a corner. Dallas, careful to stay on-side, was lurking in anticipation of a chance and pounced on the loose ball.

In a flash he had it under control before lashing a fine angled drive across McAulay and high into the net.

After the goal, Maybole beefed up their midfield, with the impressive John McDonald dropping deeper from his starting position in attack.

Stefan Gonet in the Clydebank goal wasn't any busier but the free-flowing start to the match was curtailed by the Maybole manager's astute tactics.

Shortly after the break the visitors were level through a wonderful goal from their point of view, but a shocker from a Bankies standpoint. Barry Crawford eased his way past the home defence with a rampaging run that ended when he drilled the ball past Gonet.

Full marks to Crawford but the trail of Clydebank players in his wake should have done much better.

Parity didn't last long and before the hour mark McGhie's men restored their lead with a fine example of counter-attacking play.

Gonet confidently claimed a corner before quickly finding Paul Allum who found Dallas in the right channel.

The frontman's first touch left his marker for dead before he whipped in a fine near-post cross for Stevie Dymock to gather and slip under the advancing McAulay.

It was a peach of a goal and a great reward for Dymock who gave the forwards excellent support from the midfield. More importantly it won the match and secured the points.

The margin of victory should have been greater, though, with Dymock, Martin McInnes and Brian Smith all coming close in the last third of the match.

With a stack of games in hand, Clydebank rightly feel confident that they can mount a serious promotion challenge.

But for the next couple of weeks, the Scottish Junior Cup semi-final double header against Largs Thistle takes precedent. McGhie will be heartened by this victory and delighted that his players came through it without picking up any knocks.

He can now focus on the first leg on Saturday with relish.

The Clydebank Supporters Club is running a bus to Largs, leaving Hardgate at 12.45am, the Atlantis at 12.50 and Holm Park at 1pm.

All seats are £5 and can be booked by calling Fred McCosh on 07890410606.

The lounge at Holm Park will be open from noon and the shop will also be open so people can buy their hats and scarves before going to support the Bankies.

It is expected that around 400 Bankies will make the trip to Ayrshire, so book early to avoid disappointment.

This article appeared in Clydebank Post 07 Apr 10

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