CLYDEBANK manager Kieran McAnespie has hailed his Bankies heroes after they upset Pollok to lift the Sectional League Cup on Sunday.

Lok were heavy favourites going into the game at Somervell Park after a resounding 4-0 win over Bankies in the league last month, as well as a summer spending free which saw the arrivals of players such as Stefan McCluskey from Alloa, Ryan McGregor from Arthurlie and Nicky Little made the move from Clydebank.

Bankies were as long as 5/2 with some bookmakers to win the all Premier Division tie, but a first-half own goal and a Josh Watt strike ensured the upset in a 2-0 victory.

It might’ve been more emphatic had Lok goalkeeper Jordan Longmuir not kept out Jordan Shelvey’s second-half penalty.

It’s Clydebank’s first piece of silverware since they won the same tournament and the Central League Cup in season 2013-2014, and McAnespie’s first honour as a manager.

The Bankies boss hailed his players’ performance and urged them to take the confidence from their cup success into the league campaign.

He said: “Pollok have an unbelievable strength in depth in terms of their squad, so we knew they were going to bombard us. To get ourselves in a winning position then see it out was brilliant from the players.

“We were up against an unbelievable squad, so hopefully we can use this as a springboard to move forward in the league as well.”

It was a special day for Matt McLean, and the club’s youth academy, as McLean became the first academy graduate to win a trophy with the first team.

McAnespie reserved special praise for the left back.

He added: “Growing up in the Clydebank area, I knew there were boys around the town coming through. It’s the way I grew up and I believe in it.

“Matthew has a really bright future ahead of him. He listens, he wants to learn and works hard - and his ability speaks for itself. We’ve had no qualms about throwing him in.”