Clyde v Forfar Athletic

Recap

Clyde were left to rue numerous missed opportunities after a battling stalemate over Forfar Athletic at New Douglas Park.

Erik Sula returned to the starting lineup after serving his suspension as Brian McLean made three changes from the side against Stranraer. Peter Grant and Conor Scullion dropped to the bench in favour of Euan Cameron and Stuart Carswell, whilst Cameron Mulvanny missed out due to illness.

It was a subdued opening to proceedings with the majority of play largely confined to the middle of the park. The visitors carved out the first opportunity of the match in the 12^th minute. Munro leapt up to catch a fleeting cross from a few yards out, but his header careered wide of the target.

The Loons were controlling the bulk of possession and in doing so, restricted the hosts’ ability to manoeuvre out of their own half. However, Barry Cuddihy attempted a shot from the edge of the goalmouth for the home side, but it failed to seriously test an unalarmed McCallum.

As the first period entered the final quarter, Clyde were trying to capitalise on open spaces to push bodies up the pitch, but were struggling to pose any danger and break down a stubborn defence. Meanwhile, at the other end, Moore tried his luck for the Loons in the 35^th minute from outside the box, but his effort flew narrowly wide.

Clyde seemed to come out after the restart with a renewed vigour in the 47^th minute. A decent counter attack saw Cameron drill the ball to Ji Stevenson, who unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, which whistled over the bar.

The match suddenly sparked into life on the hour mark with two opportunities for The Bully Wee in quick succession. Ross Lyon was left unmarked to slice through and drill an effort straight at the target, but it was calmly collected by the ‘keeper. The ball was then squared to Stevenson inside the box, only for his shot to be swiftly cleared.

Skelly was then denied for the Loons after he managed to work his way into the box and drove forward, but Jack Leighfield was unnerved as he blocked the ball with his feet. In the 66^th minute, the hosts continued to increase the pressure with an agonisingly close attempt from point-blank range. Fraser Malcolm cottoned onto Scullion’s corner to angle a header at goal, but McCallum was on alert to make a well-timed intervention.

With the clock ticking down into the final minutes of normal time, Clyde were intent on snatching a last-gasp winner. Logan Dunachie squandered an opportunity in the 85^th minute after the ball was knocked into his path from a corner, but he was unable to compose his shot, which rocketed over the bar.

The Bully Wee were further frustrated as McCallum denied two further chances in the 88^th and 89^th minute respectively. It was third time unlucky for Stevenson, after his dangerous low attempt was blocked by the ‘keepers foot, while the shot-stopper stretched out to deny Ross Forbes’ goal-bound free-kick from nestling into the top corner.