Clyde v Brechin City

Recap

Clyde entertained bogey team Brechin at Broadwood, hoping to bounce back from the disappointment in Dumfries. O’Donnell & Brighton could only make the bench and Cherrie was preferred in goals to Jarvie.

Without Brighton up front to ping high balls up to, Clyde were playing the ball on the deck and to good effect. Several passages of good build-up lay were either cleared by Brechin’s defenders, and many of them there were, or resulted in corners that were too often poorly delivered, surprising considering how good the deliveries have been and the end results, especially from Malone corners.

Despite dominating possession, Clyde’s first meaningful attempt on goal was on 14 minutes, when Williams, tried a snap shot on the turn that went wide, after some neat build-up play.

4 minutes later and Clyde took the lead. After Malone had been crudely brought down, on the edge of the box, McDonald’s attempt to drive the ball in only found the Brechin wall, but the ball broke nicely for Malone who smashed a left footed drive past nelson from 16 yards. Eddie doesn’t score tap ins!

For some reason Eddie assumed the position of auxiliary striker and was unlucky with a header 6 minutes later.Despite their deserved lead, and bulk of possession, the visitors were defending very deeply and clearing most of the danger.

Clyde were made to pay on 34 minutes, when Brechin equalised with their first real foray into the box. After McDonald had very sportingly kicked the ball out of play, when an opposing player was lying injured, Brechin failed to respond in kind, and a hopeful punt into the box by on loan striker Templeman, found the Clyde defence and goalkeeper somewhat static, and Callaghan nipped in front of Cherrie to pull level. New Clyde captain Malone, was particularly aggrieved about the visitor’s failure to repay the compliment paid, and was eager to prove a point and on 38 minutes, fired in another shot that was saved by Nelson.

The only other talking point was Brechin’s Dan Grainger booked for dissent. He certainly was justified in complaining about the decision to award a corner, when it was clearly the opposite, but continuing to remonstrate 5 minutes after the decision, and after the danger was cleared was sheer folly.

Despite playing well, and passing the ball about nicely, Clyde were again struggling to put turn their superiority into goals.It would have been easy to panic, and revert to desperation long ball tactics, but presumably the manager told his players at half time, to continue what they were doing, and their rewards would follow.

Only 2 minutes into the half, and Clyde could have went in front, when a superb cross from Harris, again after some neat build up, was met by the impressive Imrie, but last week’s goal scoring hero didn’t get enough on his header and the chance was lost.

However, the Clyde fans only had to wait another two minutes, before the long awaited goal came. From a Brechin throw-in deep in their half, Malone pressed the dithering Burns, and slid the ball across goal expertly for Williams to place under the keeper and into the net. It was the striker’s first goal of the year, and showed all his poacher instincts.

The game was effectively killed off 4 minutes later, when Bryson robbed Mitchell in the middle of the park and played the ball out to Imrie on the far side. The striker had two defenders around him, but made half a yard for himself and crossed for the unmarked Williams to head back across goal and into the net, with Bryson waiting to pounce for any mis-direction.

5 minutes later, some very neat passing, gave McDonald the chance to open his Clyde account, but Nelson saved well. Only seconds later McDonald was involved again when he drove forward, played a neat one-two with Bryson then allowed the Brechin defence to make up his mind and leave Williams in acres of space. McDonald expertly slipped the ball into the striker’s path, and the hit man kept his cool, allowed Nelson to commit himself, and casually dinked the ball over the keeper for his hat-trick and Clyde’s fourth.

Brechin were now frustrated and Burns and Mitchell were booked for crude challenges. Templeman also could count himself extremely fortunate not to enter the referee’s books on more than one occasion.Before being subbed, Imrie also found the target with a fierce left footed drive, but the angle was never in his favour and Nelson held the ball easily.

Brighton, McKenna and O’Donnell replaced McDonald, Imrie and Williams after each had played pivotal roles in the scoreline and performance.The frustration of the visitor’s was more than evident on 76 minutes, when Grainger lunged dangerously into Malone for a deserved 2nd yellow. He then inexplicably kicked the ball into the crowd through sheer petulance and can count himself lucky he did not receive further punishment.

2 minutes later and Clyde finished the scoring for the day, and saved the best for last. Bryson robbed Britton deep in his own half, and played the ball forward to Brighton on the half way line. Brighton held the ball up expertly for his under 21 colleague and slipped the ball into him in acres of space. Bryson then had the vision and skill to switch play to the onrushing O’Donnell on the right flank. O’Donnell controlled superbly and matched it with a great finish past the helpless Nelson. A great team goal to round off a great team performance.

Much will be said about the quality of opposition, but teams can only play when they have the ball, and Clyde worked tirelessly to retain possession or gain it from the opposition. The score line could have been more, but it all sets us up nicely for the visit of the league leaders to Broadwood next week.

Cherrie *** Despite having very little to do, looked slow at goal, and put defenders in danger with short kick outs.
Harris **** Great shift from the youngster, reads game so well and will only get better.
Malone ***** Tremendous effort from the new skipper. Scored first after winning foul himself, set up second brilliantly and had more attempts at goal. Never even got booked!
Higgins **** Made one excellent last-ditch tackle, and seemed to relish the physical battle with Templeman.
McKeown **** Another who looked slow at goal, but another who thrived on Brechin’s long ball tactics.
McHale **** Every attack seemed to start with him, and wasted possession rarely. The team has so much more balance when he is in it.
Bryson ***** Unbelievable performance, and no wonder he’s being looked at. Long may it continue if he plays like that every week!
McDonald *** Best performance since arriving on loan. Set up 4th goal well and is adapting to pace of division better.
Williams ***** After a tireless but fruitless first half, shoed his predatory instincts with 8 minute hat trick, all clinically taken.
Imrie **** Great shift, especially first half, won numerous corners and the ball stuck well when played up to him.
McGowan *** Takes up superb positions, but seems to get overlooked first half, and then over used second. End product can be better.

Subs

Brighton *** Linked well for 5th goal, and showed some nice touches.
O’Donnell *** Finished off scoring superbly.
McKenna *** Did not looked over-awed and linked play up well.

MOM – Bryson.