Clyde v Annan Athletic

Recap

The Bully Wee will play in Ladbrokes League 1 next season, after a late penalty from Ally Love proved to be the winning goal in the Play-Off Final at Broadwood this afternoon.

Danny Lennon made three changes to the side that lost the first leg at Galabank on Tuesday, with Barry Cuddihy, Mark Lamont and Scott Banks coming in to replace Kieran Duffie, Kevin Nicoll and Ally Love.

It was the visitors who had the first chance after five minutes, when the ball fell to Tony Wallace on the edge of the area. He hit it on the half-volley, and it went narrowly past the post.

Clyde’s first effort on target came midway through the first half. Kristoffer Syvertsen hit a powerful shot from inside the box, but Alex Mitchell was able to get both hands behind it and turn it away.

Scott Banks was next to try his luck with a shot from around 20 yards, but again Mitchell was equal to it.

Just after the interval Blair Currie had to be alert to tip a header from Christian Nade onto the crossbar, and he then saved the big striker’s attempt from the rebound.

Banks was tormenting the Annan defence and after cutting inside, he unleashed a curling shot which rippled the side netting. 

Mitchell was at his best again when he denied Ray Grant a wondergoal, after getting his fingertips to the midfielder’s dipping volley from the edge of the box.

The Bully Wee drew level on aggregate on the hour mark. The ball pinged around the visitor’s box before eventually falling to the feet of Martin McNiff, and he slotted past Mitchell.

The influential Banks then came close again after hitting another shot from distance, which this time whistled past the post.

Clyde suffered a blow when they lost talismanic striker David Goodwillie to an ankle injury in the 68th minute. He was replaced by Ally Love, who would go on to provide the most pivotal moment of the season.

With four minutes left on the clock, Love raced into the Annan box to try and get on the end of a cross, but was barged in the back by Steven Swinglehurst and referee Bobby Madden pointed to the spot. Love dusted himself down and made no mistake from 12 yards, rifling the ball down the middle of the goal.

The Galabankies had one final chance to force extra time when Nade crossed into the box for Tommy Muir, but his header from a few yards out went over the bar.

As the game entered the sixth minute of stoppage time, Madden blew his whistle for full-time, which prompted joyous scenes from the players, staff and supporters, celebrating a fantastic season which culminated in a thoroughly deserved promotion.