Clyde v Raith Rovers

Recap

After all the hard work over the last three games which got us back into the title race, Clyde came unstuck against stuffy Raith side in a no score draw at Broadwood. Raith have lost their last 5 games and manager, Antonio Calderon, was determined it was not going to be six in a row yesterday. Indeed, the only thing missing from a defensive minded Raith team were the black hoops of arch nemesis Alloa across their yellow away tops.

Still although they came to sit in they did start the brighter and early on Goran Stanic tested Alan Morrison low at his near post. The Clyde keeper doing well to get down to beat his shot away. And at the other end, Ian Harty saw his shot virtually cleared off the line. Caranza was posing some problems in the middle of the park, and most of Raith’s efforts were coming through him. A quick free kick saw Morrison save a shot from Prest, and then John Sutton saw his effort blocked by Kernaghan. Clyde, though, started to get on top of the game and a wonderful move involving Gibson and Marshall saw Jack Ross run through the Raith defence, round the keeper and score into an empty net. To the chagrin of the entire Clyde support and bench, the near side linesman raised his flag to give Jack offside. That makes it three goals in three games, that the captain has had ruled out. Last season it was the woodwork which kept his goal count low, this season it appears that the officials are intent on keeping his tally down. Gibson then fed Harty who returned the pass and the midfielder saw his shot held by Langfield. But the easiest chance of all was then missed by Smith as from inside the six yards box he hoofed a Hagan cross over the bar.

Into the second half, and Clyde were again pressing forward against an ever increasing Raith defence. In wave after wave of attack something was always missing whether it was the final ball or final shot. Harty, Gibson and Fraser all contrived to miss openings, but when Smith dispossessed a Raith defender deep inside their half he bore down on Langfield and 1on 1 with the keeper he squared the ball to the unmarked Harty. However Harty was not expecting a pass and the chance went begging like so many before it. The last chance came the way of McLaughlin as he challenged Langfield for a cross ball but the ex Dundee keeper dropped the ball under pressure and Mark managed to toe poke the ball as they both fell, but it went agonisingly wide. It was just not going to be our day and the referee eventually blow time on what was not the worse no score draw we will ever watch.

Raith will certainly be the happier with the point and the fact they managed to keep a clean sheet, but Clyde will have to be a little more enterprising to break down packed defences, particularly at home.

STAR RATINGS *****

Morrison **** One or two nervous moments but kept another clean sheet
Fraser *** A decent effort in an unfamiliar position
Mensing **** Lots of effort and determination
Kernaghan *** Not his best but always a steadying influence
McLaughlin **** Strong performance at the back
Ross **** More excellent midfield work from the captain
Hagen ** Unusually made the wrong decision too often
Marshall ** Decent first half but ineffective in the second
Smith *** Tried hard again but missed a couple of clear chances
Gibson *** Involved in most good things through going forward
Harty *** Got into good positions but final ball sometimes lacking

Gilhaney ** A couple of promIsing runs but end product wasn’t quite there
McConalogue ** No time to make an impact
Millen ** Same as above

REACTION

ALAN KERNAGHAN – "We maybe only created 5 or 6 chances today which, considering the amount of possession we had, isn’t really that much. We did defend well, but overall we’re disappointed.

"We made the wrong decisions on the edge of the box today. The two chances at the end sum up our afternoon.

"I’m pleased with some aspects of our play but, as I said, our final ball let us down. We haven’t lost the match when 4 or 5 weeks ago we probably would have done.

"Sometimes subs change matches with one touch and sometimes they don’t, that’s the way it goes. You lose Andy’s aerial threat certainly, but that’s no excuse."

SIMON MENSING – "I was happy with my performance but it was a frustrating game. The end result wasn’t what we were looking for.

"I would rather be playing on the right but when injuries occur I’m more than happy to play out of position and try my best.

"The start of the season was hard for ourselves but the more we play the better we get and I’m enjoying it at the moment."