Thistle dump tired Bankies

Published 26 May 2010 13:00 0 Comments

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Dalry Thistle.....2

Clydebank........1

AN under-strength Clydebank side slumped to defeat on Monday night in their penultimate league match of the season.

Hit by injuries and fatigue, Budgie McGhie's men headed to North Ayrshire with four trialists in the side.

The match meant little to the Holm Park outfit who have already secured a coveted third spot in the league, and with it a promotion play-off slot.

But Dalry - bossed by ex-Bankie Sammy Conn - needed a win to keep their survival hopes alive in the battle to avoid the drop. Chris Mackie almost had the visitors ahead in the first meaningful attack of the match, but his close-range header was touched over the bar by home keeper Willie Rankine.

Dalry took the lead on 16 minutes when James Canning's cross was turned in to his own net by trialist full-back Kearn Docherty.

The young defender could do little to avoid the unfortunate own goal and went on to have a fine match.

It was a really open affair with chances coming thick and fast at either end.

Liam Campbell pulled off a great save to stop Canning doubling the lead before Mark Fitzsimmons made it three goals in three games for the Bankies with a well taken shot from inside the box.

Before the break the same player almost grabbed another with a fine free kick effort from 30 yards that Rankine did well to turn wide.

McGhie introduced Kilpatrick for Mackie after the break, shortly before replacing John Jack with Nick Cairney.

Both Mackie and Jack had performed well but the Clydebank boss clearly had an eye on keeping his players fresh for the forthcoming play-off against Lanark United and tonight's Central League Cup clash.

Jack had come close to scoring a minute before being replaced with a shot Rankine turned onto a post.

Most of the action was at the home end and it looked as if Bankies would push on for a win that would have relegated the Merksworth Park club.

The normally lethal Kilpatrick squandered a couple of good chances to edge the visitors ahead and again Rankine blocked a Fitzsimmons shot as the men in red piled on the pressure.

It looked as if the match would end all square until a bizarre last minute winner settled the entertaining clash.

Kilpatrick looked as if he was wrestled to the ground for a clear penalty kick but the referee, who had a poor match, awarded a free kick against the Bankies attacker.

From the controversial award, Dalry grabbed the winner when a wild swipe by Ross Campbell looped over the head of namesake Liam to send relegation threatened Thistle wild with delight.

Bankies now turn their attention to Central League Cup business and a home quarter final clash against Rutherglen tonight (Wednesday). Kick-off 7.15pm.

This article appeared in Clydebank Post 26 May 10

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