Gordon Russell Memorial Match

Clyde FC XI 3(3) – Clyde Supporters 1(0): The next time you see a supporter shaking their head saying: ‘I can do better than that’, well the evidence is they can’t. A blend of youth and the very experienced saw off the challenge of the supporters in an enjoyable game that raised funds for Clyde’s youth development. On the pitch Clyde included regulars Andy McClay and Brian Smith and surprisingly Dave McKinnon, Gerry Dunn, Billy Reid and some of the youth coaches. The youths on show played very well but apparently aren’t formally attached to Clyde.

The game began with Clyde’s youth players running the show with very sharp passing and movement. Peters in the Supporters goal looked up to the task though with some confident handling. Supporters were struggling to get a touch and it came as no surprise when Clyde opened the scoring after 13 mins. A neat build up saw Clyde’s no.5 (Rennie) thunder the ball home from the edge of the box. McClay was getting into good positions in front of goal but couldn’t find a finish. On 25 mins Clyde’s no.5 scored again with another rasping shot from the edge of the box. Supporters failed to respond and after 35 minutes Clyde went further ahead. This time Clyde’s young no.15, who looked the best player on the park, blasted home from the edge of the box. At 3 nil down there looked no way back for the supporters as half time came.

McClay and Smith left the action and this seemed to give the Supporters some space to work in. Only 5 mins into the second half the Supporters were awarded a softish penalty. After lengthy debate the match organiser, Stevie Morton, stepped up to take the kick. Sadly he found the base of the post with the young keeper later claiming he got a touch (he must have exceptionally long arms!). This spurred Clyde back into action and Dave McKinnon rattled the crossbar a couple of minutes later with another shot from distance. Then the Supporters pulled a goal back on 63 minutes through website supremo, Graham Forrest. He was played through and neatly rounded the keeper before calmly placing the ball into the net. The Supporters were seeing more action in front of the Clyde goal but couldn’t provide a finish. Coach, Billy Reid, entered the game and proved his shooting hasn’t improved any since he left Clyde as a player. The final whistle blew and Jack Ross gave Man-of-the-Match to Supporters forward, John Conaghan.

After the match Stevie Morton presented Alan Kernaghan with a cheque for £400 towards youth development and both parties expressed their wish for the fixture to be an annual event. Supporters Manager, Gordon Nisbet, wasn’t disappointed and summed things up: “I’m really pleased for all my players, they were not disgraced and they all enjoyed the occasion. Once we re-organised our formation at the start of the second period we competed better. We probably should have altered it earlier and given the first half lads a better opportunity, but the event and what its aims are, is after all what it is all about, and I think that was achieved.”

LINE-UPS
1st half

Andy Peters

Findlay Mackay Graham Mallinson David McMillan
Craig McNulty John Paul Rose

Bob Cochrane

Andy Muir Brian Wands

Stephen Bowman John Conaghan

————————————————————————————————————————————————————
2nd half

Andy Peters

Steven Hunter Stevie Russell Rod MacKenzie Scott Law

John Slaven Graham Forrest Steven Morton John Calderwood

Steven Brown Bobby Gracey

(Captains in red)

Pictures courtesy of John Bowman. You can see more in the Picture Gallery.