Clyde v Arbroath

Recap

Clyde ended their season with a convincing victory over Arbroath to secure second place with a marvellous total of 72 points. The blustery conditions didn’t make for pretty football and indeed played a major part in Arbroath’s first (if indeed it was over the line!) goal. A reasonable crowd turned up to give Clyde a rousing send off and it seems the team that starts next season may be entirely the same as the one that finished this one.

Clyde fielded the same starting 11 as last week at Ayr but included Convery on the bench along with youngsters Doyle, Baird and Reid. It didn’t take long for the game to run Clyde’s way as Keogh scored after only a few minutes. With Arbroath trying to play offside near the halfway line Keogh was sent free on goal. He showed a fair turn of pace and curled a lovely finish around Hinchcliffe and into the net. Everybody then expected a procession of Clyde goals but the far side linesman had other ideas. An Arbroath break ended with a vicious cross being whipped in from the left. It caught the wind and Halliwell did well to catch it under the crossbar – crucially taking a step back to keep his balance. Nobody claimed a goal and Clyde played on only for the referee to notice the linesman had his flag up and indicated to the referee the ball had crossed the line. Arbroath couldn’t believe their luck and Clyde were annoyed to say the least. There’s no point blaming the referee as he had to go on the opinion of his linesman. But how the linesman could give a definitive verdict (given his obvious angle to the goal at the time) that the ball had crossed the line beggared belief. Yes it was a very close call and the ball may well have crossed the line but the linesman was in no position to say it had. Clearly annoyed it didn’t take long before Fraser’s mouth and a tackle from behind earned him a yellow card. Still Clyde kept their wrath warm and took the lead again after about 30 minutes. Attacking down the left the ball arrived at Hagen’s feet on the edge of the box. With bodies in front of him he ran across the 18-yard line (with the aid of a good screening run by the referee) and picked his spot in the bottom left corner with a powerful shot. This settled Clyde down and McLaughlin came close with a header when he ventured up from the back. With half time looming Clyde settled the game with a decisive third goal. Fraser’s run down the right was ended by a crude obstruction. Ross clipped the free kick onto the head of the Keogh who had raced in front of the defence and the ball sailed into the top corner. While everybody was celebrating Alan Kernaghan was signalling to Halliwell to keep his mouth zipped and sent substitute keeper, Morrison, around to the back of the goal to reinforce the point. So despite the annoyance felt towards the officials the game was more or less won at half time.

Despite the youth on the bench Clyde didn’t make any changes for the second half. For the opening spell it was all Mark Gilhaney as he teased the Arbroath fullback to the extent that the poor fellow was replaced very quickly. In a great performance Gilhaney showed strength and tenacity to go with his skill and sharpness that augers well for next season. The entertainment didn’t last though as the game descended into a series of aimless hoofs up the park and misplaced passes. Thankfully Clyde gathered themselves and Gilhaney and Ross both carved out good chances by themselves but only found the safe hands of Hinchcliffe. Clyde’s fourth goal then came via the head of the reliable striker, Andy Millen!? A outswinging corner was fired beyond the far post and found the unmarked Millen. His accurate header sailed over everybody and into the top corner. McConalogue nearly grabbed another as he sprang the tiring offside trap and lifted the ball over the advancing Hinchcliffe from about 40 yards out. The attempt looked on target all the way but bounced and grazed the post with Keogh just failing to make contact with the rebound. With the pressure off Clyde decided to ring the changes. Convery replaced Hagen on the left for possibly his last appearance in a Clyde shirt. It was then Doyle’s turn to make his debut as he replaced Mensing on the right of the defence. Sadly Clyde went to sleep at a corner and a knockdown was easily converted for a second Arbroath goal. This didn’t deter Clyde from introducing Reid for for a 10 minute spell before the end. He like Doyle and Gilhaney showed some neat touches and no lack of confidence.

The team rightly took a bow after a great League campaign and the fans went away happy with their 125th Anniversary shirts. In an end-of-season encounter Clyde again avoided the banana skin and came out worthy winners. It has been the ability to cut out the errors and take the main chances that has been the difference the season. It’s an understatement to say that we can’t wait for next season to begin.

STAR RATINGS (*****)

Halliwell *** Again so little to do that it’s hard to give him more.
Mensing *** Solid without being spectacular.
Potter **** Another great performance in the middle of the defence.
McLaughlin *** Steadier than last week and running strong at the end.
Fraser **** Great engine and tenacity.
Ross **** Seen a lot more in attack.
Hagen **** Lot of defensive work again and a good goal.
Millen **** How many will he bag next season?
Keogh **** Getting back to his best with 2 lovely goals.
McConalogue *** Second fiddle today but still showed up well.
Gilhaney **** Showed the lot today apart from a goal.

Convery ** Struggled as the left is not his side.
Doyle *** Looked assured on the right.
Reid *** Small but neat and doesn’t lack confidence.

REACTION

ALAN KERNAGHAN – "It was a good end to a good season, but the wind conditions marred the game. If the weather was better I think we would have scored even more. But it was good to finish with three points and it was nice to see the home fans leave with a smile on their faces."

"The far side linesman thought their first goal was well in. Bryn didn’t agree with him. But, it’s done and dusted now there’s no point in worrying about it."

"We would have prefered to be closer to Falkirk towards the end of the season, but it wasn’t to be. Full credit to Falkirk for that, they have been the benchmark to us all. We have to emulate that next year and better it."