Clyde v Ayr United

Recap

In the end this was a comprehensive victory for Clyde. With 3 goals, 2 sending offs and 2 penalties it sounds like a towsy humdinger of a game. In truth it was anything but. No matter how both camps tried to talk this game up it was end-of-season stuff with Clyde getting some breaks. Credit to Clyde that they worked to get the breaks but the players and the crowd knew there was little at stake.

Clyde stuck with the formation that drubbed Inverness in midweek except that Cosgrove replaced the suspended Fraser in central midfield. In many ways this was a youthful Ayr midfield and attack versus a more experienced and methodical Clyde team. Ayr may have looked a bit sharper but Clyde carved out more chances. Ayr’s game plan was immediately hampered by Craig having to be replaced within minutes. Clyde must have relished the absence of his height and experience but they did little to exploit Ayr’s loss. Cosgrove had a good drive form the edge of the box but it was straight at Nelson in the Ayr goal. Cosgrove also turned beautifully in the box but fired straight at Nelson again. At the other end Grady nearly caught out Halliwell with a curling shot from the edge of the box. Twice McConalogue found himself wide on the right with Clyde players begging for the ball but couldn’t beat the defender with his crosses. Both teams were constantly giving the ball away but it was Clyde that made the breakthrough via the penalty spot. Keogh met a cross with his head and saw it come off the junction of post and bar. With Nelson lying prostrate Hagen looked to have a simple task to nod in the opener. However under the challenge of Lyle he failed to make contact. The referee used the laws to the fullest and not only awarded a penalty but sent off the offender for denying a goal scoring opportunity. Ayr’s McManus was booked for protesting and would later rue his folly. Millen dispatched the penalty and Ayr’s defence was left in tatters. In the lead and with numerical advantage Clyde struggled to impose themselves on Ayr. Instead it was Ayr that had the best chance to equalize. Halliwell collected a corner but lost the ball on the way back down under pressure. The ball broke to an Ayr player on the penalty spot but he blasted wide with the goal at his mercy. Hagen who’d been having a quiet time came off injured to be surprisingly replaced at wingback by Shields.

Clyde kept the same players for the second half no doubt thinking that they would wish to turn in a better performance. It started quite well with Cosgrove overlapping and rippling the side netting with a shot. Gilhaney did the same thing from a similar position as Clyde looked to exploit Ayr’s right hand side with their numerical advantage. Ayr were finding it difficult to supply their front men and were further hampered when striker, Kean, limped off. Clyde for their part looked a bit lost when Keogh was pulled back into the midfield for a while but Clyde eventually went further ahead via the penalty spot again. Following some pinball in the Ayr box and a shout for hand ball the ball spun into the air. Jack Ross was about to head the ball back into the mix when he was bumped. Not the most obvious penalty you’ll see but Ross is not a player to dive either. Millen dispatched the penalty in the opposite corner to his first one. Ayr’s discipline was being sorely tested as Clyde retained possession. Billy Reid Jnr came on for his debut to replace Gilhaney and looked for all the world that he’d strayed onto the wrong pitch from a school game. Despite his lack of stature he didn’t panic and even managed an attempt on goal. Keogh, who struggled the whole game, was replaced by Falconer with a few minutes to go. Cosgrove found time and space to drive in a fierce shot that Nelson could only parry. Falconer, following up, cushioned his header over Nelson and into the net. The game didn’t end there though as McManus managed to get himself sent off. Cosgrove again broke at pace from within his own half and cut across the path of McManus. With Cosgrove haring towards goal McManus just couldn’t resist a trip. With a resigned smile on his face he knew what was coming after his first half booking. With his experience he should have known it was a huge risk to take to try and test the referee’s sense of leniency.

Ayr trooped off more than a little disgruntled which at least sets up the trip to Somerset on 3rd May.

STAR RATINGS (*****)

Halliwell **** One shaky moment but otherwise up to current standard.
Potter *** Sound game as he regains his form.
Mensing **** Kept Ayr’s strikers very quiet.
Kernaghan *** A stroll at the back but again some casual passing.
Cosgrove **** Excellent energetic game in central midfield.
Ross *** Competent if unspectacular today.
Hagen ** Struggled and came off injured.
Millen *** Usual stuff from the veteran.
Keogh ** Poor game from a player struggling with himself.
McConalogue *** Good game but slack at times.
Gilhaney *** More bright and sharp stuff from the wee man.
Shields *** Unfamiliar wingback role but a disciplined performance.
Reid ** Little time to show his stuff.
Falconer ** A goal but no time for anything else.

REACTION

Campbell Money:- "I have no comment to make on the referee’s decisions, except to say he is very aptly named. I’m not complaining about the first penalty because it was difficult for me to see so I’ll go with the referee’s decision. The second one is bordering on unbelievable, I have no idea why it was given. The second sending off has happened in injury time when we are 3-0 down – is there no common sense left in the game whatsoever? The players are not happy. Clyde’s confidence is high enough without giving them an extra man and a goal lead after 25 minutes, but we kept playing away. The second goal is a huge turning point in the game though."

Alan Kernaghan:- "I’m very happy with the three points. It wasn’t pretty at times but there was a resolve there not to lose the match which was great. The first dismissal had a big impact on the game but we took advantage of it. Andy scored two good penalties under pressure and Willie scored a typical strikers goal to finish it off. It was good to see Billy Reid get his debut and Paul Doyle will also get his chance before the end of the season. It’s something we need to do and fortunately we are in a good position to do it. It’s a lot easier to come into a winning team than a losing one obviously. I thought Stephen Cosgrove was fantastic today. It’s probably the first time he’s been in his natural position and he did really well. I thought everyone was great today, they all won their own individual battles."

Andy Millen:- "Campbell can have his opinion on the penalties and we can have ours. I don’t think the referee had any choice with the first one, it was a penalty, but I don’t like to see anyone get a red card. I don’t agree with the decision to send the player off, but the referee has to go with the letter of the law. The second sending off is also a bit harsh, but again the referee is only going by the letter of the law. Years ago when I started in the game a bit of common sense would have been used, so I can understand Campbell’s frustration. Nothing should be taken away from the Clyde performance though. We tend not to get the credit we deserve, and get called things like ‘big bully boys’. We’ve got a guy in charge who has played at the highest level and he demands that we pass the ball. It’s a great thrill to see Mark Gilhaney and Billy Reid come into the team. These guys are the future of clubs like Clyde and there are 2 or 3 more getting closer to the first team."