Clyde v Ross County

Recap

Winning is a great habit to get into – long may it continue! Another strong defensive display saw Clyde to victory in a tight game against Ross County. Clyde started with the same eleven as last week and encouragingly included young Mark Gilhaney on the bench at the expense of McConalogue.

At last Clyde made a quick start and grabbed an early goal. Only six minutes had gone when a Kane corner flashed towards the far post and Keogh found the net with a header. County responded with a swift move that saw a fierce shot well held by Halliwell. The Manager nearly grabbed a second as he gathered the ball from a set piece and curled his shot just around the post. After that Clyde lost the initiative and County began to dominate the midfield although they failed to trouble Halliwell much. With halftime approaching Clyde broke forward and Jack Ross lined up a shot from distance. It was well enough struck and took a wicked deflection off a defender over the grasp of the County keeper and into the net. Clyde looked set for an easy victory but County quickly struck back. Canning collected the ball on the edge of the box and seemed to telegraph he wanted a return pass over the top. Nobody seemed to read the move and he drilled the ball past Halliwell to set up a competitive second half.

Clyde made no changes at half time and resumed intent on extending their lead. The ball broke to Nish just inside the box and his shot came back off the post and just eluded Keogh. Worse was to follow for Nish as a deep cross saw Keogh stretch with every sinew to knock the ball down for Nish. From six yards Nish could only fire the ball over the bar. County seemed to take this as their cue and began to roast Clyde for a spell. Clyde lost the pace of the game completely and County’s centre forward missed a great chance from within the box by blasting over Halliwell. Clyde couldn’t clear their lines and McCulloch strode forward unopposed and only a brilliant reaction save from Halliwell saved the day for Clyde. Changes had to be made and for once it wasn’t Convery introduced. Instead Cosgrove replaced Nish and Keogh moved up to centre forward. This seemed to settle Clyde down a little as Cosgrove aided Hagen on the left. Convery was soon brought on though to replace Hinds. County ran out of steam and Clyde saw out the rest of the game without too much concern. Everybody was delighted to hear the Referee eventually end the game and leave Clyde with another victory.

Another three points is great but for large parts of the game Clyde’s midfield simply wasn’t up to pace. If County could have finished better then Clyde would have been in trouble. Halliwell pulled off a great save and gave everybody confidence by coming to collect the high ball in a couple of times’ of crisis. Dare we suggest that a good season may be emerging for the Bully Wee?

REACTION

Alan Kernaghan: "I’m pleased in the end, it’s a good three points. County posed us a few more questions than other teams have in recent weeks, but we managed to hold on. At times we moved the ball well and opened them up."

"Colin Nish missed when it was easier to score, but I have huge faith in him. The fans might not believe it but it will come good for him and someone will get a pasting when it does. It’s frustrating at the moment but we have to keep him going and encourage him as much as possible."

"Bryn played great, which is a huge bonus for us. He was safe and secure when needed. Leigh also did better this week.I’d say that’s the worst game I’ve played so far, I was tired towards the end and felt it."

"There are smiles on everyone’s faces in the dressing room area at the moment, and that’s good. We seem to have more resilience now, and also a bit more belief in ourselves that we can go on and win games."

Paddy Keogh: "I missed out on a lot of sleep this week with a new baby arriving and I was struggling at the end a bit, but I’m delighted. I thought we played well and created a lot of chances. Bryn did really well in goal and made a couple of excellent saves. Everyone has been encouraging me in training to do more with me headers in the box so I was pleased to score that one today. I went on a run of scoring goals this time last season so hopefully I can do it again."