Bankies make Meadow sweat
Published 15 Sep 2011 09:30
Irvine Meadow.............................2
Clydebank....................................1
BANKIES pushed league champions Irvine Meadow all the way but ended up losing by the odd goal in three.
Budgie McGhie's men have found life tough in the top flight since gaining promotion with the breaks seldom going their way.
And it was the same story again when a controversial first-half penalty kick gave the home side the two-goal cushion that was enough to earn the points.
The visitors started well and Charlie Hobbs came close with a looping back header that drifted inches over Michael Wardrope's crossbar.
At the other end Bankies keeper Robert Hamilton pulled off a fine stop when Neil McGowan powered a header on target from a deep corner.
Meadow took the lead when striker Gary Fleming showed a lovely piece of skill to flick the ball over John Greig's head before drilling a shot past Hamilton.
The referee then awarded the home side a controversial penalty when he adjudged that impressive trialist Gary Wild handled just inside the box.
Kevin McDonald stepped up to put Hamilton the wrong way from the spot.
It was the third week in a row that Clydebank had gone two goals behind in the first half but any fears that they would fold under the pressure were soon dashed.
Wardrope maintained his team's two-goal advantage with a fine stop from a Wild free kick from 20 yards that looked a goal all the way.
McGowan then upset the travelling fans with what looked like a lunge on Hobbs near the halfway line. Both players were booked but McGowan could count himself lucky to stay on the park.
After the break it was all Clydebank.
They passed the ball well and got at the Meadow defence. A Hobbs angled drive tested Wardrope and Darian MacKinnon left three players for dead before firing wide for the visitors' two best moments.
But they created a number of decent openings including a great move that ended with a superb Hobbs cross that almost picked out strike partner Stevie Dymock.
The Holm Park side did halve the deficit when John Dillon inexplicably headed past Wardrope after misjudging a Vinny Berry cross.
It set up an exciting closing quarter of the match in which McGhie's men pushed Meadow all the way.
The gaffer introduced three attack-minded subs in Ross McPherson, Mark Hailstones and Paul Thompson.
But despite their best efforts, Clydebank couldn't manufacture another goal and ended up losing by the narrowest of margins.
Bankies have a chance to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they welcome Arthurlie to Holm Park, kick-off 2pm.
This article appeared in Clydebank Post 14 Sep 11
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