Published: Wednesday, 28th July, 2010 2:30pm

Revamped Bankies shine

Clydebank... 0

Arthurlie... 1

A NEW-LOOK Bankies side gave their fans real hope for the coming season with an impressive performance against strong Premier Division opponents.

Visitors Arthurlie won the friendly match with a late goal, but the Holm Park crowd were treated to some fine football from Budgie McGhie's young side.

Clydebank could have been three up at the break but squandered a series of chances to let the Barrhead outfit off the hook.

New signing Scott Highlands came within inches of scoring with a glancing header from a Stevie Dymock cross as the Bankies got off to a flyer.

McGhie's men controlled the midfield with Tommy Martin and Darren MacKinnon particularly impressive.

But it was a long ball from the back that created a gilt-edged chance for Dymock five minutes before half-time.

The hard-working striker had two bites at the cherry with keeper Neil Parry blocking his first effort and the rebound cleared from the line by a covering defender.

Great work from MacKinnon created another fine opening a minute later.

The midfielder went on a powerful run from inside the Arthurlie half but as he was being closed down by covering defenders he had enough presence of mind to slip the ball into the path of Mark Kirkpatrick.

The forward tried to dink the ball over Parry but the Lie keeper pulled off the save of the match to deny Clydebank a deserved opener.

MacKinnon had to be replaced at half time after picking up a toe injury so the equally impressive David Green entered the fray.

He played a dream pass for Alan Vezza — who now leaves for the USA on a soccer scholarship — but Parry forced the ex-Partick Thistle man to fluff his shot.

Both sides made a number of changes after the break which affected the fluency of the match.

It looked as if it was heading for a goal-less, but satisfying, draw until Michael Keenan popped up late on to volley past Gonet from the edge of the box.

The result is never important in pre-season matches so manager McGhie quite rightly praised his young team for a fine performance.

He said: "I thought we played some really good football against a strong Arthurlie side.

"We could have been three ahead at half time."

Clydebank now turn their attention a mouth-watering clash with Dumbarton tonight (Wednesday) at Strathclyde Homes Stadium, kick off 7.30pm.