Clyde v Montrose

Recap

The Bully Wee ended their losing streak with a fine 3-2 victory over Montrose at Broadwood this afternoon, thanks to a hat-trick from David Goodwillie.

Danny Lennon made two changes to the side that lost to Dunfermline Athletic last weekend, with David Mitchell returning in goals, and Tom Lang recovering from injury to make his 50th appearance. Chris Johnston continued to miss out due to self-isolating.

Clyde took an 8th minute lead when Ally Love knocked the ball up the line, and David Goodwillie outpaced Andrew Steeves to gather the loose ball before rounding goalkeeper Aaron Lennox and slotting home, to open his League 1 account for the season.

The visitors were level nine minutes later. Cammy F Ballantyne saw his drive from outside the box crack against the post, but seconds later the ball was crossed back into the box, and Russell McLean was able to hook it into the net on the turn.

Montrose dominated the first-half and had the chances to go in front, but Graham Webster’s strike was held by Mitchell, and Iain Campbell saw his effort from over 30 yards clip the top of the crossbar.

Danny Lennon introduced Kristoffer Syvertsen during the interval and the Norwegian forward’s introduction, along with a change of formation, signalled an improved Bully Wee performance for the second-half.

McLean passed up another good chance for The Gable Endies minutes after the restart, when he was on the end of a cutback but his backheeled effort was dragged narrowly wide of the post.

Goodwillie got his second of the afternoon a minute before the hour-mark after Syvertsen robbed Harry Cochrane of possession and started a counter attack. He played in Love, who in turn floated a deep cross into the box, where Goodwillie was on hand to loop a header high into the net, out of the reach of Lennox.

Montrose made it all square again ten minutes later. Sloppy defending allowed Chris Mochrie time and space on the edge of the box, and he curled a low effort past Mitchell and into the bottom corner.

The Bully Wee took the lead for the third time in the 79th minute following another counter attack. Scott Rumsby threw his body in the path of Lewis Milne’s goalbound shot and seconds later Ross Cunningham was breaking upfield. He played a pass to the left, and from the edge of the box Goodwillie sent a fantastic shot over the head of Lennox to complete his hat-trick.

The Mo then threw everything forward, including ‘keeper Lennox, in search of a late equaliser, but despite a frantic bit of pinball around the Clyde penalty box, The Bully Wee held on to claim their first points since the opening day victory over Partick Thistle.