Clyde v Plymouth Argyle

Recap

CLYDE TEAM

Halliwell

Mensing Smith Potter

Ross Mclaughlin

P.Kane Millen

Dunn

Falconer Keogh

SUBS: McClay (Dunn 73), Convery (Falconer 62), A.Kane (Keogh 62), Hinds (P.Kane 73), Fraser (McLaughlin 45), Scally, Clark (GK)

REPORT

Clyde ended their pre-season with a confidence boosting win over English opposition, but there is still work to be done if they are to make a genuine challenge for the title this year.

With David Hagen injured, Mark McLaughlin started in his less preferred left wing back position, and Willie Falconer made his home debut. Clyde’s first chance came after 5 minutes, when Paul Kane released Jack Ross on the right with a fine pass, but Kane’s eventual shot after Ross’ cross was cleared was poor. The game in the early stages was fairly even in the midfield, with both teams seeming happy to get the ball from back to front quite quickly. Andy Millen tried a nice dummy on the edge of the box which nearly paid off. Minutes later, after a scramble in the box, Keogh headed over from a Potter cross. Plymouth made their first impression on the match after 16 minutes, when Nathan Lowndes collected a high ball over the top and put a low shot into Halliwell’s arms. A couple of minutes later, Bryan Smith was caught in possession of the ball whilst trying to drive forward, and Lowndes hit a defence splitting pass to the Argyle forward who couldn’t finish. Then came a flurry of attacks around the half hour mark. David Dunn had a turn and shot (albeit weak) saved by the ‘keeper. Plymouth immediately replied, and a low cross from the right couldn’t quite be converted by the outstretched Lowndes. John Potter then had a header saved for The Bully Wee. Clyde’s best chance of the half came after 42 minutes, when Pat Keogh missed an easy header on the 6 yard line from a Jack Ross cross. Just before half-time, Smith was again caught in possession but John Potter came across and covered well.

John Fraser replaced Mark McLaughlin at half-time, and once the match restarted it was obvious that Clyde were playing more urgently. 5 minutes in Pat Keogh missed another header, this time over the bar. It was deja vu 10 minutes later, but this time Keogh was much closer to scoring as the ball hit the roof of the net. The visitors came close to scoring on 64 minutes when Taylor flashed a volley just wide of the post from the edge of the box. The injection of pace up front added by subs Andy Kane and Convery was noticeably making a difference at this stage. Kane gave Clyde the lead on 66 minutes, connecting with a Ross cross from 8 yards to head Clyde in front. 2 minutes later, Kane could have scored again when he ran onto a long ball in the box, but he screwed his shot wide. Andy McLay and Leigh Hinds were on by this point, and both looked sharp and had some nice touches. With 15 minutes to go, Hinds had a typical run into the box and crossed the ball over, but Jack Ross’ shot was deflected wide. Plymouth, who were playing their 4th game in 8 days were visibly tiring by this point and a minute later Clyde had a great chance to score another. Andy Kane won the ball from a defender just outside the box, and managed to play Steve Convery in but he blasted over under pressure. The last action came with 2 minutes to go, when Leigh Hinds hit a good 25 yard free-kick into the ‘keepers arms.

Overall, this was another good exercise for Clyde, and although the result wasn’t really important it was nice to get another victory under the belt. The players looked a bit flat in the first half and were nowhere near as effective as they were against Norwich, but it did improve in the second. The defence is beginning to look very solid, but it remains to be seen if we will have enough in midfield to provide the strikers with sufficient chances to take Clyde to the top of the league. Next up is Dumfries, it should be a good one…

REACTION

Alan Kernaghan: I’m happy with the result but I still feel we can play better. I can’t complain about another clean sheet though. We improved from Tuesday, though tonight we did not create as many chances. They never looked like scoring really and hardly troubled us at all.

I wanted to try Mark McLaughlin in the left wing back role tonight but I don’t feel that is his best position and he feels the same. Davie Hagen was injured tonight, but he is an important player for us in that position.

I more or less know what my first choice 11 is, but it will probably change this week. It’s hard to finalise it when players like Andy Kane keep coming on and doing so well. I’m happy with the players I have here but we still need to do a bit of work on the playing staff. I want to bring in 2 or 3 more players, hopefully this week. I know we have until the end of August but I would rather get the squad settled before we set off.

Paul Sturrock: Clyde are a very good side, and I think they will do will in the First Division. They are a big side and should cause a lot of problems at set pieces.

Alan Kenaghan is an experienced player and he is going to take his experience into management now. I am sure he will be a great success. You saw tonight how they passed the ball and they looked at working hard to keep the shape of the team. Hopefully Clyde will benefit from Alan’s experience over the years to come.