Annan Athletic v Clyde

Recap

The Bully Wee’s unbeaten start to the Third Division campaign was ended this afternoon, following a frustrating defeat at the hands of a stubborn Annan Athletic side.

There were three changes to the Clyde team that faced Motherwell during the week; Felip Mentel replaced JC Hutchison, Michael Oliver came in for Ryan Kane and Mark Archdeacon was called in for the injured Stephen McDonald.

In wet conditions, the home sided started the match strongly but Clyde weathered the storm and the majority of the first half was a close affair. Archdeacon saw a long-range effort saved before Graham Bell nearly took advantage of a slip by Declan Gallagher, with the Annan forward shooting wide.

However, it was the Galabankies who grabbed a crucial opening goal. A cross to the back post was met by Stephen Sloan, whose seemingly innocuous downward header was spilled by Mentel and squirmed into the net.

The second half of the match saw Clyde take control of proceedings, missing several chances to equalise as the hosts failed to offer any further threat going forward.

Archdeacon had a great chance inside the box after the ball broke kindly to him, but his effort was saved. John Neill was another to see his attempt stopped and Liam Cusack also saw a shot flash across the goal.

The closest call came with only minutes left to play, as Gallagher met John Sweeney’s corner and beat the ‘keeper with a header, only to see the ball cleared off the line by an Annan defender.