Arbroath v Clyde

Recap

Clyde slumped closer to relegation to the Scottish Third Division as two late goals gave Arbroath a crucial victory.

The Bully Wee included Callum Reidford, Connor Cassidy, Marvyn Wilson, Willie Sawyers and new signing Aleksandrs Gramovics. Fellow Latvian Dmitrijs Borisovs took his place on the bench.

Arbroath started in impressive fashion and Reidford was forced into a trademark save at the feet of Steven Doris . The Red Lichties then threatened twice from set pieces, with Cassidy doing well to clear the first effort off of the line. A similar situation minutes later saw Keith Gibson force the ball goalwards but Willie McLachlan blocked on the goal-line, with the home side screaming for a penalty.

An injury to top scorer Bryan Scott halted the home team’s momentum and the rest of the half trudged on with little in the way of goalmouth action. Set pieces were once again looking like the only chance of a goal and both Willie Sawyers and Alan Lithgow were inches away from diverting loose balls towards the goal. Gramovics then found space inside the box but Rattray blocked his shot. During the first half, Clyde were unfortunate to be on the end of two poor decisions from referee Brian Winter when both Adam Strachan and Kris Doolan picked up bookings for innocuous tackles.

The second half continued in much the same vein and Borisovs was introduced in place of the angry Sawyers to try and turn the tide in Clyde’s favour. In fairness, around the 65 minute mark Clyde started to take control of the game and Darren Hill was forced into a terrific save to keep out Kris Doolan’s low shot. Willie Kinniburgh then came close with a header from a Gramovics corner.

Doolan was then fouled by Gerry McLauchlin and after the centre-half was booked, Gramovics’ free kick was blocked by a home player. Borisovs then gave an indication of his talents with Clyde’s best effort of the game. A neat first touch saw him spin away from Ewan Moyes but his powerful volley was superbly tipped onto the post by Hill.

Sadly, the home team managed to edge their way in front with a terrific goal. McLachlan obstructed a burst forward by an Arbroath midfielder and from the free kick, Kenneth McLean’s terrific cross was flicked home by substitute Robbie Ross.

There was an almost instant response as Doolan was fouled on the edge of the box but the striker’s free-kick was weak and blocked out for a corner. From the set piece, Kinniburgh again headed just over the bar. Clyde then brought on Jordan White for Gramovics and the youngster almost made an immediate impact but Moyes just cleared for a corner. From Cassidy’s delivery there ensued an almighty goalmouth scramble but both Kinniburgh and Doolan failed to find a gap in the home rearguard.

Arbroath were consistently trying to hit Clyde on the break and Lithgow was indebted to Ally Park as the right-back slid in to block Ross after he had eluded the Clyde centre half. They did earn a second goal with probably the best strike that either side will have seen this season. Andy Jackson eluded Lithgow but saw his shot saved by Reidford. As play continued, Cassidy saw a terrible pass towards McLachlan intercepted and as the ball bounced up 25 yards from goal, Doris fired in a terrific volley that gave Reidford no chance.

Clyde had chances to win this game but the defeat means that even a playoff place now looks unlikely. The two new Latvians looked to have some talent but once again, Clyde were outplayed in midfield and didn’t convert their chances. The fact that the Bully Wee still haven’t scored in 2010 speaks volumes for their lack of a cutting edge.