Clyde v Ross County

Recap

With a lot at stake and the pressure on Clyde, the Bully Wee did the business and came from behind to defeat County in extra time with a wonder-goal from Gary Arbuckle.

Injury to Jones meant Clyde had to start with a diminutive attack of Harty and Burns while Balmer’s experience was preferred Wilson.

County hit their rhythm first and a couple of shots were easily covered by Halliwell. Bollan gave away a free kick on the edge of the box after fifteen minutes and Rankine took full advantage with a blistering strike past Halliwell.

This completely knocked Clyde out of their stride for a while but gradually Bryson, Gibson and Sheridan were winning the midfield tussles. Burns run and shot hit the side netting and Harty was unlucky to see his turn and shot go wide. Bryson was next and saw his drive punched away but a goal was coming.

After a corner the ball was fed back in by Sheridan. There seemed a clear handball by County causing everybody to hesitate but Bryson didn’t and stabbed the ball into the net. In being generous to the referee we’ll assume he was playing advantage.

Clyde’s tails were up and County were happy to see out the half without further incident.

The second period saw County try to take the sting out of the game by sitting-in and hoping to use their pace on the break. The tactic worked as although Clyde had the majority of possession the build up was so slow and stifled that only a Gibson volley from the edge of the box caused any alarm.

With extra time looming County then raised their game in the final five minutes. Halliwell was at full stretch to turn a shot away and then Winters smacked the ball off the crossbar as Clyde wilted in the final minutes.

Extra time began and almost immediately substitute Arbuckle set off on one of his pacy runs down the middle. This time there was a fantastic end product as his shot from outside the box flew into the top corner leaving County stunned.

Clyde then struggled to keep the ball as County pressed but without much direction. Indeed Harty was put through on the keeper twice to seal the game. The first run was stopped by a superb defensive tackle but the second resulted in a penalty.

After scoring two penalties on Saturday Harty strode up with some confidence only to blast in over the bar. County battled to the last but couldn’t find a clean strike at goal as Clyde held out for a vital win.

There had to be a winner and Arbuckle’s goal was worthy of winning any match. So often Clyde have failed in the vital ‘one-off’ situation but not this time. Billy and his team deserve all the credit they receive.

Clyde Star Ratings (*****)
Halliwell ***** Not much to do but did it very well.
Mensing *** Some stout defending with some sloppy moments.
Bollan **** Cleared his lines very well.
Balmer **** Well up to the task.
Potter ***** Led by example as you’d expect.
Sheridan **** Usual tigerish display.
Burns *** Some lovely touches but rarely threatened.
Gibson **** Back to his best.
Bryson ***** Boundless energy and drive.
Malone *** Good shift but struggled going forward.
Harty **** Ran all night but fluffed his chances.

Arbuckle **** Pace and a sensational goal.
Gilhaney *** Buzzed around as he does.
Wilson *** Stood firm in the tense closing minutes.