Stenhousemuir v Clyde

Recap

Despite their impending relegation, Clyde gave their supporters some cheer with a fine win against a Stenhousemuir side that could well be dropping a division too if this game was anything to go by.

The Bully Wee had the luxury of fielding an unchanged starting line-up, with Jay Lang replacing Marvyn Wilson on the bench. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the midweek performance against Alloa was the combination of Connor Stevenson and Aleksandrs Gramovics in midfield but for much of the first half of this game, they struggled to find space in a tightly congested midfield that often contained 6 opposition players against 4 Bully Wee men. As such, it took some time for the first effort on goal. A neat move began in defence and after the ball was eventually played into Willie Sawyers, the striker did well to lay it off for Willie McLachlan to fire in a shot that ‘keeper Chris McCluskey superbly tipped over the bar.

The next chance fell to the home team but Jordan Smith’s header from close-in dipped past the far post. Striker Scott Dalziel also had a half chance but again, his close range header was off target. In truth, all of the good football was being played by Clyde and a fine move involving Gramovics and Dmitrijs Borisovs ended with the former seeing his shot deflected past the post following a neat one-two. A series of set pieces were causing Stenhousemuir problems despite their height advantage and Alan Lithgow perhaps should have done better when he headed Stevenson’s resulting corner over the bar from 6 yards out.

Clyde were pressing consistently throughout the half and McCluskey was again called into action as McLeod bundled the ball towards his own goal under pressure from Jordan White. The goalkeeper reacted superbly to tip the ball onto the cross bar and out for a corner. However, the Bully Wee’s pressure was soon to pay off and needless to say, it was from another set piece. A corner was briefly cleared but Borisovs picked up the loose ball and curled in a great cross that Lithgow met with a thumping header at the back post.

The Warriors had the better of the rest of the half as they fought for an equaliser. Willie Lyle was slipped through on goal but Reidford was quickly off of his line to save. Kevin Bradley also had a glorious opportunity after being played inside fullback Neil McGowan, only for his cross to wildly fly over everyone in the penalty box.

Perhaps this pressure fooled the away support into expecting a challenging second period but in truth, Stenhousemuir barely threatened the away team’s goal. Clyde chose to hit on the break and regularly looked like adding to their lead, especially when John Stewart replaced Borisovs. The second goal was soon to arrive and it involved a great passing move that saw Stevenson play a one-two with Sawyers before cutting the ball back for White to tap into the empty net.

The Bully Wee then gave youngster Kevin Higgins a run-out in place of the hardworking Sawyers; a move that saw Strachan move up front. This move turned out better than perhaps expected as Strachan moved onto a lobbed ball forward and from a tight angle fired a superb left-footed volley over McCluskey and into the net via the woodwork.

The three goal advantage merely confirmed the victory and the remaining 12 minutes of the match were played out comfortably with only a couple of in-swinging corners causing any concern to Reidford.

Some people will feel that Clyde were due to hand out a heavy defeat to another side, given some of the chances they have missed in recent weeks. Gramovics and Stevenson continued their promising partnership in midfield and it is a disappointment that this combination was not chosen earlier. Despite the three goals, much of the credit for this display must go down to a solid back four, marshalled by the terrific Lithgow. Ally Park looks like a promising centre half due to his pace and McLachlan is showing that he is a very good right back.