Hamilton Academical v Clyde

Clyde rang the changes after last week with Bollan, Balmer and Harty being replaced by Arbuckle, Gilhaney and Gibson.

As expected they began in very confident fashion with Sheridan and Burns in particular spraying passes about for the opening fifteen minutes. Sadly despite the domination there was no end product as Gilhaney struggled to get on the end of things. Clyde were also intent on making life difficult for themselves and twice Simon Mensing gifted possession to Accies in front of goal and was relieved to see Halliwell and Potter save the day on each occasion.

Arbuckle was harshly booked for diving in the Accies box. Certainly he drove into the box looking for contact – and contact he found. However the referee decided it was a blatant dive and it’s a pity that he wasn’t consistent enough to apply this throughout the game otherwise there would have been a few more in the book.

As the second half began the game looked for all the world like a goaless draw as both teams struggled to build the play and chances were far and few between. Then the luck changed for Arbuckle and Clyde. He made a run down the right and fired in a cross that appeared harmless enough. However the keeper got under the ball and could only watch as it flew into the net. Clyde nearly doubled the advantage straight away but Malone’s volley was just the wrong side of the post.

Accies were of course forced to chase the game and Halliwell pulled off a good save from a free kick and was very confident with his handling at crosses. Clyde were always looking for the counter but could never find the final ball to do the damage. One of the few moments of tension occurred when a set of floodlights failed and the possibility of abandonment loomed. With three sets working and all the safety lights on the referee deemed it was safe enough to continue.

New signing Chris Gardiner was given a chance up front and seemed to enjoy himself as the game fizzled out.

Yet another narrow but invaluable win for the Bully Wee. There is one almighty relegation dogfight looming with only nine points separating third from ninth spot and it isn’t going to be pretty. Thankfully the Bully Wee have a nice buffer from that zone and are looking at Falkirk instead.