Ross County v Clyde

Recap

Clyde strengthened their grip on second spot with a hard fought win in the Highlands over Ross County. An Ian Harty goal 25 minutes into the second half was enough to give Clyde yet another 1-0 win, their first victory in five matches. 

It was an inspired first half performance from Bryn Halliwell (pictured) which laid the foundations for a vital victory. The big keeper pulled off a string of excellent saves to ensure that Clyde went into the break all square as the visitors struggled to find any kind of fluency to their first half play.

The first few minutes of the game saw both sides struggle to come to terms with an icy playing surface and it wasn’t until around twenty minutes into the game that Gary Bollan miscued a clearance and, from the resultant ball into the box, Halliwell dived bravely at the feet of Rankin to block his shot and Burke fired over the bar. 

Three minutes later Ian Harty looked set to burst forward but his run was brought to and end by Malcolm who found his way into the ref’s book. Mr. Rowbotham was generally keeping a tight control of the game but he was also letting play flow whenever possible. Then Aaron Conway, in for his injured namesake Wilford, fired in a free kick which was easily held by the County keeper. 

Five minutes later Halliwell had to dive low to his right to block a snap shot from twelve yards out from Cowie. Halliwell seemed on a one-man mission to defy County as he pulled off great saves from another effort by Cowie and a powerful drive by Tiernan which he tipped over the bar after he fumbled a cross. 

At the other end, Colin Stewart made a hash of a clearance but just managed to edge out Harty, as the striker showed some steel in fighting for possession. 

Stuart Balmer also showed his worth to the defence with a goal-line clearance from a Ross County corner and then McSwegan saw Halliwell foil his twenty-yard shot as County pressed forward for an opener before half time. 

Clyde started the second half with much more purpose as the front three linked better with the rest of the team. Harty and Walker linked up right from kick off but Harty shot just wide, then Walker had a great run in on goal but his left foot shot finished in similalr fashion. 

Two minutes later Gibson was booked for his protests over the award of a free kick following an innocuous challenge. On fifty-three minutes, Mensing saw his drive deflected to Conway whose shot was blocked away for a corner. Clyde were starting to get the upper hand and Lauchlan was booked for a foul on Arbuckle. Then the former Celt was crowded out after a nice exchange between him and Conway. 

County were still looking dangerous on the break and just after sixty minutes Halliwell  got down well to make an excellent one handed save from Burke’s sixteen-yard drive.

Harty was crowded out as he threatened to shoot and Gary Bollan saw his header cleared off the line as Clyde looked to make their possession count. Walker saw his drive well held by Stewart in goal, then on seventy minutes Clyde took the lead which their play in the second half merited. 

A great ball played over the defence by Gibson found Harty in space inside the area and the striker at last found his shooting boots as he slipped the ball past the helpless County keeper. Then almost immediately Clyde should have doubled their lead but Conway saw his great drive just slide wide of the post. 

The final twenty minutes saw Clyde quite content to allow County possession from which they very rarely threatened the Clyde goal; Clyde scoring seemed to knock the stuffing out of them.

The win was vital for Clyde and with both Queen of the South and St. Mirren losing it meant the Bully Wee are now four points clear in second spot.