Clyde v Alloa Athletic

Recap

Clyde’s final home match of 2022 ended in a hard-fought draw as they shared the spoils with Alloa Athletic at New Douglas Park.

Jim Duffy made two changes to the team that faced Elgin City a fortnight ago with Jon Craig and Liam Scullion replacing the suspended Andrew Rodden and departed Morgaro Gomis.

Clyde recorded the first opportunity of the evening in the second minute as Barry Cuddihy filtered the ball through to Jordan Allan, but his shot was sent behind by Hogarth.

The remainder of the opening 15 minutes was closely contested with neither side creating much in the way of meaningful chances.

However, it was the Wasps who broke the deadlock in the 21st minute. Kieran Offord managed to slither his way through the home defence, before slotting the ball past Neil Parry. The visitors then came close to doubling their advantage as Ross MacIver barged into the box, but Brian McLean blocked the danger.

The match shortly returned to level terms as the hosts equalised six minutes later. Kurtis Roberts drove through the left-hand side and diverted the ball across to Euan Cameron whose deflected effort sneaked into the net.

As proceedings entered the final 10 minutes of the first period, the away side were attempting to regain their advantage as Offord looked to be through on goal with a low drive, but Parry was on guard to make the necessary save.

The visitors were left to rue their missed chances when Clyde hauled themselves in front in the 38th minute. Ross Lyon’s overarching pass went undetected as Allan was first to connect, only for his effort to bounce off the woodwork, however, he made no mistake firing home the rebound.

Jon Craig mustered a chance of his own straight at Hogarth as The Bully Wee went into the interval with a slender lead.

The Wasps garnered the majority of possession after the break as they pushed bodies up the park, but the hosts’ defence held firm against advancing pressure.

Allan bundled the ball into the back of the net in the 58th minute, however, the linesman judged his goal to be offside.

As the clock ticked past the 60 minute mark, Craig played the ball through to Roberts, whose effort was denied by the ‘keeper.

The visitors were awarded a penalty in the 68th minute after Peter Grant collided with MacIver in the box. Scott Taggart’s spot-kick rattled off the bar and bounced away from goal, however, according to the assistant referee, the ball had apparently crossed the line to the bewilderment of the home support.

Both teams desperately attempted to snatch a late winner but had to settle for a point each, with the last chance falling to Olly McDonald after he connected onto Roberts’ pass to round Taggart and sent a powerful shot into the box, but he was denied by Hogarth.