St. Mirren v Clyde

Recap

If Clyde were to harbour any real thoughts of promotion, 3 points were a must against league leaders St Mirren.

After a slowish start, Saints Kean had the first real chance, but his header was easily saved by Cherrie. Clyde’s first meaningful chance came after 19 minutes when O’Donnell shot over from 20 yards.

In the space of 5 minutes, the game changed dramatically. Tom Brighton found himself in acres of space in the Saints box, but couldn’t find anyone with his cross, then an almost carbon copy occurred 2 minutes later, with McGowan guilty of not using possession better.

Then came the sucker punch. A high ball found Corcoran, who laid the ball out to Lappin his cross was blocked by Higgins, only to find Corcoran to drill the ball home. Clyde answered straight back with another O’Donnell shot that went wide. 5 minutes later Charlie Adam was introduced for the injured Hugh Murray and made an immediate impact. His through ball to Corcoran produce a wonderful tackle from sweeping keeper Cherrie that had some St Mirren fans screaming for a red card and a free kick.

On 41 minutes, Adam’s involvement was more damaging, and as at Broadwood, had more than a hint of controversy about it. As he burst into the box, he appeared to lose his footing and control of the ball, before being marginally touched by McKeown. The awarded penalty was surprising and for the second game running McKeown could count himself unlucky to be booked. Kean sent Cherrie the wrong way from the resultant spot kick.

The second half needed Clyde to revert back to their energetic brand of passing to get anything out the game. After two minutes it paid off as Malone sent a great through ball to Brighton who used pace to get by his marker, to send his effort goalbound. The keeper managed to get something on it, but couldn’t keep it out. Game on! A minute later Masteron was injured making a challenge and O’Donnell was booked for cynically taking out a Saints player. Arbuckle came on for Masterton and O’Donnell was walking a tightrope.

On 55 minutes, Clyde should have equalised when a turn from Williams saw himself with a great chance, but under pressure from Broadfoot he screwed the ball wide.
Clyde had further chances through Arbuckle three times and Williams, but couldn’t get the ball in the net, but it seemed it was only a matter of time. However on 72 minutes, any chance we had effectively vanished. After McGowan had lost possession deep in St Mirren’s half, O’Donnell was again cynical in taking out Corcoran and referee Richmond had an easy decision to send off the captain for his second bookable offence.

Although Clyde retained three up front, St Mirren were breaking out more effectively and Cherrie was forced into a fine save from a Kean drive, and Adam saw a curling effort just go over.

The final whistle came and a noisy travelling support rightly applauded the team off after their second half attempts. The fans and management can clearly see the best results are achieved when we keep the ball on the deck, when the players believe the same on a more regular basis, we should take some stopping.

Cherrie **** One superb tackle and great save. Faultless at both goals.
McGregor **** Distribution still an unusual problem, but was superb in defence when game opened out.
Malone **** Cant ask for much more, but seems to be harshly treated and never far away from contentious incidents. My MOM.
Higgins *** Shaky at times, and wasted possession too often
McKeown *** Not as prominent as in recent games, but still fairly solid.
Masterton *** Looked unusually hesitant in possession before injury forced him off.
Bryson **** Needs to improve control, but is so effective when the team are attacking. Good shift.
O’Donnell ** was fairly influential, but sending off was stupid and who knows how game might have ended.
Williams *** was devoid of any service first half, but linked up well in resurgent second half.
Brighton **** after non-existent 1st half he was electric and so dangerous after break.
McGowan *** One of his poorer games recently and was sloppy in possession. Cannot be faulted for effort.
Arbuckle ** Had 40 minutes to prove a point, and again didn’t take it, should have done much better with at least two of the three or four chances that came his way.