Clyde v Livingston

Recap

LINE-UP

Halliwell

Mensing Potter McLaughlin
Ross Hagen

Fraser Millen
Nicol(Trialist)

Reid(Trialist) Harty

SUBS: Kernaghan(Potter 55), Doyle(McLaughlin 55), McBride(Fraser 65), Gilhaney(Harty 70), McConalogue(Reid(Trialist) 70), Keogh (Nicol(Trialist) 74), Smith(Trialist)(Ross 80).

REPORT

Both sides started with teams that could be considered very close to full strength, and the match was played very competitively throughout. Livingston were first to threaten the scoresheet when a powerful volley came crashing back off the crossbar to safety. Possibly slightly against the run of play, Clyde took the lead midway through the half. David Hagen did well to get the ball under control, beat a man and drill a low cross to the back post where the waiting Harty and Millen managed to bundle the ball into the net between them, with Millen claiming the final touch. Soon after, from a Livi free-kick on the edge of the box, Bryn Halliwell pulled off a fantastic save low to his right that was duly applauded by Alan Main. Moments later, the English keeper had to make another good save, this time from point blank range, as the visitors took control of the match. Clyde fought back however, and had a strong penalty claim dismissed when Reid was brought down just as he was about to pull the trigger, following good work by Harty and Ross. On the stroke of half-time, Livi equalised when Sharif, unmarked at the back post, volleyed a deep cross into the bottom corner.

The second half had far less goalmouth action, and the game only came to life again in the last 15 minutes. On 75 minutes, substitute McConalogue was released down the right wing, and although his ball across to the unmarked Gilhaney could have been better, there was still a chance in front of goal but Mark couldn’t find a way around the keeper. Clyde seemed to be getting a grip of the match at this stage, but against the run of play Livingston had a very strong penalty claim turned down when Paul Doyle appeared to pull a man down. Alan Kernaghan then played a ball over the top to put Mark Gilhaney through, who found McConalogue 6 yards out but his shot was saved. The Bully Wee nearly got a late winner when Elliot Smith found Keogh in space with a neat pass. Pat flicked the ball inside the box to McConalogue, but he was the villain again as his shot trickled wide.

A very worthwhile exercise overall, and a good solid performance considering it was the first ‘proper’ match of the summer.

STAR RATINGS (*****)

Halliwell ***** A couple of excellent saves and catches and looked very confident
Mensing *** Unspectacular but didn’t do a lot wrong
Potter *** Same as Mensing
McLaughlin *** Still not quite "the old Marko" but did well enough
Ross *** He rarely has an off day – always reliable
Hagen **** Saw a lot of the ball in phases and look dangerous with it
Millen *** As you’d expect in the thick of things, but faded slightly in second 45
Fraser ** Never really got to grips with game
Nicol *** Was busy and keen to win the ball, worth a second look
Harty *** Encouraging glimpses of the type of player Clyde badly needed
Reid ** Found it tough to show what he could do
Kernaghan *** Showed no signs of hanging up the boots any time soon
Doyle *** A couple of nice touches
McBride ** Not great but the potential is there
Gilhaney *** His pace livened things up almost immediately
McConalogue *** Missed a couple of chances but otherwise good
Keogh *** Showed no reason why he can’t continue on from his May form
Smith ** Not enough time to form any judgement