Clyde v Gretna

Recap

Clyde welcomed Gretna and a good following to Broadwood for today’s 4th round Scottish Cup game. The home team were rocked when Neil McGregor was ruled out through injury, but Gretna had to do without the influential experience of David Bingham Both teams sprung surprises with their starting 11 with Gretna electing for David Graham instead of prolific lower league striker Deuchar and Roberts replacing Masterton with McDonald.

From the outset, the pace of Grady and especially Graham were causing Clyde problems, and the two combined after only two minutes, when Grady met a Graham cross, but the header was wide.

Clyde’s midfield were struggling to impose themselves, despite the efforts of Bryson in particular. The young midfielder did well on 7 minutes to feed the ball into Brighton who touched on nicely for the onrushing O’Donnell, but the captain could only find the grateful arms of Main with his drive.

Gretna then broke free using their pace once more, and after an over hit cross had been returned into the box, McGuffie’s shot was blocked by Boudaji.

Too often Clyde were playing the long ball up field, which played into the hands of former winger Derek Townsley who was dealing with these very easily, but in 15 minutes, the ball was played on the deck until McGowan spotted the run of Brighton. The on form left footer timed his run superbly, but blazed over with his weaker right foot.

The game descended into a midfield scrap, and in fairness, the visitors were using the ball better, and were retaining possession better. After a sustained spell of pressure led to a corner, McGuffe easily rose to meet the cross, but with the goal at his mercy could only head poorly at Cherrie.

Then came a quite unbelievable 3 minutes.

Alex Williams lost possession in a promising area, and in the process of trying to atone, fouled Gretna defender Chris Innes. There was a tangle of legs, and then Innes inexplicably kicked out at Williams as he was on the way down. Referee Brines had no option but to send Innes off, but to the majority of the crowd’s amazement, Williams was also shown the red card.

A minute later and further controversy. Brighton used his pace to collect the ball in the box, and appeared far too quick for Gretna’s Steve Tosh, who appeared to catch Brighton in the box. Rather than give the penalty, Brines decided that Brighton had dived and booked the furious Clyde player.

A minute later, Tosh was involved again, when he brought down Malone on the halfway line. A foul sure enough, but a pretty harsh booking to be honest.

A minute later, and Graham again used his pace to make a fifty fifty ball more like a 70 – 30. Clyde stopper McKeown was fully committed, but quite simply skinned for pace, and brought the hit man down for a deserved booking. The Clyde fans who chanted cheat at Graham, may well feel embarrassed as he was withdrawn through injury seconds later to be replaced by the towering Deuchar.

The substitution clearly affected Gretna’s fluency and Clyde started to get better possession, without using it although, Malone had a surging run, towards the end of the half, but he ran out of legs, and Brighton shot wide after driving across the box rather than into it. Gretna too had some more first half chances through a Townsley header and an O’Neill drive.

At Half time, Clyde had certainly not played to their capacity and were perhaps lucky to be level, but unlucky that they did not have a man advantage to capitalise on.

In truth the second half never ever got going, and was a poor advert for the Cup, and chances were few and far between, although Clyde were the team more in the ascendancy.

On 67 minutes, Chris Higgins was booked for a robust challenge.

With 18 minutes to go, Roberts sent on Miller and Masterton for McGowan and Mcdonald to try and win the game. Brsyon reverted back to midfield after replacing Williams up front, and was far more influential then. With minutes remaining, Clyde made an incisive breakaway, when Brighton fed O’Donnell. With Miller clear to his right, O’Donnell elected to play the ball early, when in truth he could have drawn the defenders out more, and the Miller appeared to be caught in several minds, as he dallied and never even got his shot away when clear.

With seconds remaining Clyde were awarded a free kick, close to the corner flag, Malone drilled the ball in, and found Brighton near post and un marked, but the striker could only direct the ball into the side netting, and the game’s last real chance was gone.

The action wasn’t finished though, as Higgins picked up a second yellow for a foul on Deuchar. It was a foul, but the giant’s reaction to the challenge, not only made up the mind of the referee, but also infuriated several Clyde players and the manager.

The final whistle blew, and a trip to Gretna on Valentine’s Day is now required. Romance of the Cup, eh?

Cherrie *** in all honesty, not that busy, but more assured than Hamilton game.

Boudaji ** Solid, but sloppy in possession, dragged out of position too easily.

Malone *** Subdued First half, better second, but 100 % as always.

Higgins ** Poor game, even before his red card, struggled with Gretna’s pace.

McKeown **** Solid as ever, and seemed to relish tussle with Deuchar.

McDonald ** Never got into the game, perhaps not a game suited for his passing ability.

Bryson **** Boundless energy and was playing well, before having to go up front.

O’Donnell ** off the boil, and not as sharp with passing.

Williams * Very Harshly sent off on his return from flu.

Brighton *** If only he had a right foot and a head! What a player he’d be!

McGowan ** Poor game from the N.I under 21 player, no killer crosses to mention.

Miller * has changed games before with introduction, but was unusually nervy when chance came his way.

Masterton * didn’t contribute that much in his 18 minutes involvement