Bankies so close to glory

Published 4 Aug 2010 13:30 0 Comments

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SHOWPIECE: Bankies captain Gary Lynn and Rangers skipper Rory Loy before the final

Clydebank.... 0

Rangers..... 0

CLYDEBANK narrowly missed out on winning the Garry Lynch Memorial Trophy by losing a penalty shoot-out to a young Rangers team.

Budgie McGhie's men took part in the four-team tournament along with the Ibrox side, Second Division outfit Alloa Athletic and hosts Cambuslang Rangers.

Bankies were drawn against Alloa in their first match on Saturday and after a sluggish start turned on the style.

The Recreation Park outfit took an early lead but a double from Nikky Cairney turned the match on its head.

Mark Kirkpatrick added another to establish a healthy 3-1 lead at the break.

McGhie made changes at half-time in a bid to give valuable game time as many squad members as possible. Stevie Dymock came on for Andy Selkirk and David Green replaced Tommy Martin.

After the restart it was more of the same from a Clydebank side who simply swept away their opponents.

Ross McPherson came on midway through the half and quickly notched a double. The pick of "Archie's" brace was a close-range finish at the end of a sweeping move that saw Mark Hailstones fire in a low cross for the young striker to convert.

Midfield powerhouse Darian MacKinnon added a sixth with a well-taken volley to cap an excellent performance.

In the day's other match, Rangers beat Cambuslang Rangers on penalties after a 3-3 draw. So the stage was set for Sunday's mouth-watering final. The young Rangers side were managed by youth coach Tommy Wilson and featuring a string of players with first team squad experience including striker Rory Loy.

Scott Highlands had Bankies' best effort on goal with a long-range drive Wayne Drummond touched wide.

Martin McComish also came close at the back post when he head over, but the young midfielder wasn't to know McPherson was better placed to score. As the first half progressed, Rangers took control and had Bankies pinned back.

McGhie's side struggled to cope with their opponents' movement and crisp passing game.

But apart from one outstanding save from Liam Campbell, the Clydebank goal was rarely threatened.

After the break it was a different story. Clydebank started on the front foot with McPherson outstanding in attack.

McGhie brought on McKinnon and played a 4-5-1 to combat Rangers' dominance in midfield. It worked a treat as the Holm Park side turned on the style.

Drummond was by far the busier keeper pulling off outstanding stops from Kirkpatrick, McKinnon and Stevie Dallas.

Despite a number of close things at either end, though, the final score remained 0-0.

Skipper Gary Lynn and Kirkpatrick missed spot-kicks while Rangers netted four of theirs to run out 4-3 winners.

But the tournament was a huge success for Clydebank who took a lot from two competitive games.

Gaffer McGhie now can't wait for the competitive action to start at Maryhill in the Sectional League Cup.

He said: "I was delighted with the performance of the squad over the two days of the tournament and the whole pre-season.

"Some of the new guys have shown up really well as have our established players.

"Now we turn our attention to the competitive matches and that will be a different challenge.

"We play Maryhill away on Saturday in the Sectional League Cup and they have a few of our ex-players in their side so I am sure they will be going all out to win.

"We have to make sure we are up for it and after what I have seen over the last few weeks, I am sure we will be."

Clydebank begin their competitive campaign against Maryhill this Saturday (kick-off 2pm) at Lochburn Park.

McGhie's side then play Glasgow Perthshire at Holm Park next Wednesday (kick-off 6.45pm).

This article appeared in Clydebank Post 04 Aug 10

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