Clyde v Queen of the South

Recap

Clyde entered this game on the back of their worst performance of the season and possibly the biggest ear bashing courtesy of the manager. On a slippery surface the visitors started the better. Craig McKeown was harshly booked after 4 minutes for nothing more than a mistimed non-malicious challenge. Burns for Queen of the South then came close with an angled drive that was superbly turned round the post by Peter Cherrie. From the resultant corner, ex Clyde stopper Jim Thomson should have done better with a shot on the turn from only eight yards out.

Only a minute later, excellent pressing by both Brighton and Bryson resulted in Queen’s Willie Gibson attempting a passback that was woefully short. An alert Alex Williams pounced and expertly slotted the ball under the advancing Barnard to put Clyde one up after 7 minutes.

Clyde started to adjust to the slippy conditions now and where playing some neat passing without creating many chances, and the next chance fell to Bowey of Queens when he weakly connected with a header that went harmlessly wide. This was to be Queens last good chance of the half as Clyde regained control through possession and good movement. Brighton’s drought at Broadwood continued although he was unlucky with a couple of efforts, as was O’Donnell who saw a superb free kick brilliantly saved by Barnard on 31 minutes. He would find the side netting 3 minutes later, but his overdue goal at home would only be delayed. After some fine build up work from Brighton and Bryson the ball landed kindly to O’Donnell, who from 12 yards made no mistake to put Clyde 2-0 up.

Clyde were indeed unlucky not to add to their tally two minutes later when Williams met a superb McGowan cross and only a superb reflex save from Barnard kept the scoreline at 2-0 halftime.

The second half started with Queens reverting to a 3-4-1-2 formation as Clyde had exploited the flanks to great effect in the first half. The visitors enjoyed some more possession, and had a decent chance when Cherrie flapped at a cross, thankfully for Clyde, Malone blocked John O’Neill’s goalbound effort.

Just after the hourmark, Clyde killed the game. Mckeown was guilty of a slack pass, but doggedly regained possession and set up McGowan with the ball. His cross was certainly into a good area, but not his best, but somehow Thomson managed to misjudge the flight, leaving Williams to loop the ball over Barnard with a superbly placed header.

The goalscorer would find himself in the book for a typical striker’s challenge a minute later, and straight afterwards Queens really should have scored when Gibson failed to make contact when a dangerous cross was presented to him 6 yards out.

The game became fragmented with substitutions from both sides, but Brighton can count himself unlucky not to score when Barnard saved his shot at the near post in the dying minutes.

A much improved performance and one of their best at Broadwood. With the possible exception of McHale this was the strongest Clyde team available and sets us up well for Monday’s trip to Paisley.

Cherrie **** Made one fine save early on in game, that would be catalyst for rest of game.
McGregor. *** Lacking his usual composure after return from suspension.
Malone **** Energetic and committed. Is there a more improved player in the league?
Higgins *** Solid and composed. Distribution could be better.
McKeown ***** MOM for me, after early booking he was a rock.
Masterton *** Seems to start games very well, but picks up too many cynical bookings.
Bryson **** Nice to see him back after contract signing. Such a dangerous opponent with lungbursting runs.
O’Donnell **** Starting to shine in McHale’s absence, and got monkey off his back with vital second.
Williams **** Two goals and sharp throughout after a lean spell.
Brighton **** Extremely talented player, who would be a world-beater if he added goals.
McGowan **** Good shift and set up killer third goal after taking up good advanced position.
Arbuckle ** 20 minutes to shine – didn’t take it.
Hunter *** Energetic 14 minutes from Roddy without much end product.
Boudaji ** Barely touched ball in 12 minutes he was on park. Game was won by then.