Clyde v Celtic Colts

Recap

The Bully Wee made a winning start to their City of Glasgow Cup campaign this evening, registering a 3-1 victory over an energetic Celtic Colts side at Broadwood.

Michael McGee was given his first Clyde start in goals, and with several players on the injury list, Danny Lennon named himself as a substitute to make up the numbers.

The Bully Wee came close to scoring in the opening minutes but Martin McNiff’s header came back off the crossbar. At the other end McGee was equal to his first test, making a good save from Luca Connell’s drive.

Ally Love broke the deadlock four minutes before the interval. The captain for the evening was on the receiving end of Chris Johnston’s teasing cross into the box, and guided a header past Liam Hughes in the Celtic goal.

The young Hoops’ side almost found an equaliser just after the restart. McGee made another smart save from Jack Aitchison, and the ball broke to Ewan Henderson on the edge of the area, who rifled a shot against the base of the post.

Darren Smith then came close to doubling Clyde’s advantage in the 52nd minute when he met Johnston’s cross, but Hughes turned his header behind. From Johnston’s resulting corner it was 2-0, as Craig Howie powered home a header from the centre of the box.

Howie almost got another goal in spectacular style. From a free-kick ten yards inside his own half, he spotted Hughes off his line and thumped the ball towards goal. The Celtic ‘keeper scampered back and managed to save his blushes by just getting a hand to it inches from the line.

Clyde kept looking for a third and Smith was desperately unlucky not to score after showing great skill to twist past two Celtic defenders, before Hughes came out to smother his attempt.

The visitors began to dictate proceedings as the game wore on but created little in the way of clear cut opportunities. They did however pull a goal back from the penalty spot with a quarter of an hour remaining. Peter Stuart pointed to the spot after Love barged Armstrong Oko-Flex, and Henderson made no mistake from 12 yards.

Danny Lennon then introduced himself to proceedings to help his side to see the game out. Every touch of the ball by the 50-year-old was greeted with a warm cheer by the Clyde support.

McGee made a vital point-blank save from Oko-Flex with time running out to protect Clyde’s lead, and the result was sealed in stoppage time when Mark Lamont robbed Henderson of possession on the half-way line and drove forward. He attempted to square the ball for the unmarked Smith to finish the move, but the pass was intercepted by Celtic skipper Stephen Welsh, who could only slot it beyond his own ‘keeper and into the back of the net.