Clyde v Forfar Athletic

Recap

Having watched Clyde in 33 years of cup ties this result came as no surprise. Clyde can raise their game against better opposition but I wouldn’t put money on them to beat an injury-ravaged works team in a one-off contest. A limited Forfar team with a very limited gameplan won the day as the Bully Wee crashed once again. On paper Clyde had one of their strongest teams available for months, but it didn’t work out. The defeat is hard enough to swallow, but as Clyde look to raise their profile and earn some serious money to keep full-time football at Broadwood this can only be viewed as a disastrous result. With so much of the game in Clyde’s control the defence had to concentrate fully even though they were hardly called upon. They didn’t and lost two very bad goals and the game.

The game began with Clyde seeing plenty of the ball and it soon became evident that Forfar’s plan was solely to hit on the break. Clyde weaved some pretty patterns in midfield but lacked penetration. Then after 10 minutes Forfar played a quick ball up front and Tosh scored with a good shot from the edge of the box with Clyde’s defence nowhere. Smith and Halliwell had serious words about the goal and their spat continued going up the tunnel at half-time. Quite a shock, but surely Clyde would bounce back? It took a while but a long range effort from Keogh had the keeper at full stretch. McLaughlin then brought the ball down in the box and saw his shot come off the junction of post and bar. Clyde had a series of other good attempts on target but the keeper was well up to the task. Then following a corner Clyde equalised. The ball was initially cleared out to Ross and he put the ball back in the mixer and Mensing was on hand to slot home from 12 yards. Clyde continued to press until the break but without taking the lead.

No changes were made at half-time and Clyde were expecting to go out and continue the pressure. Hagen had a good shot on the turn but again the Forfar keeper touched it over. It was still Clyde making most of the play but the game was starting to stagnate as the final quarter approached. Then disaster for Halliwell and Clyde. An aimless looking cross came over with Halliwell not even having to stretch to take it. Sadly the wet ball slid through his grasp and fell at the feet of Sellars to tap into the empty net. Clyde had 20 minutes to pull the game out of the fire and hemmed Forfar back. McLaughlin, Ross and Hinds were replaced by Convery, Bingham and Crawford as Clyde tried to raise the pace. Clyde put in plenty of crosses and corners but the finish was always lacking. Forfar held firm and Clyde trooped off with some soul searching to do. 

The game highlighted a few of Clyde’s problems. Firstly, we’re not scoring enough goals (obviously!). We had plenty of chances but the difference between a good and a mediocre attack is taking some of them. Secondly, we struggle for pace at the back. Paul Tosh is hardly the fastest thing on two legs but sadly Bryan Smith is even slower. In a straight race Tosh was faster and went on to score. Thirdly, there has always been nagging doubts about the handling abilities of both of our keepers and again today it cost us very dearly. Will Bud be back in goal for the Raith Rovers game? A very angry and frustrated crowd left Broadwood on Saturday and the team now has some serious bridge-building to do. Clyde didn’t lack effort but giving away soft goals and not taking good chances is unbearable to watch. Depressed? You bet!