Six Appeal

Clyde travelled to Stranraer in the Reserve League Cup last night and returned buoyant following a 0-6 victory over the Blues. Coach Dougie Bell was delighted: “We played well and it was important for a number of players to get another run out.”

Evangelino Valentim (pictured) scored a hat-trick for the Bully Wee and he was joined on the scoresheet by McKeown, Bradley and Smith.

Dougie continued, “The Reserve League Cup is proving to be a good competition for us. It provides us with the opportunity of building a bridge between the Under-19s and the first team squad and last night was no exception. I involved a number of youngsters and it also gave guys on the fringes of the first team a full 90 minutes to maintain and regain their fitness levels.”

The victory also built upon an encouraging display by the first team at the weekend. Dougie added, “The Morton game was a poor performance but against St.Johnstone we contained them well in the first half and took the game to them in the second period. In my opinion we were unfortunate not to get all three points.

“Hopefully these two games set us up for Saturday. Craig (McKeown) is doing well but I still think he needs games like last night to get sharper; the same goes for Evangelino. The big man has an eye for goal but he will need some more time to get his fitness levels up and adapt to the style that is required in the First Division.”

Dougie concluded, “It’s been a real boost in getting players back from injury and to have some real competition for places. We’ve seen the guys get a lot sharper and fitter over the past few weeks and that will stand us in good stead as the season progresses.

“Hopefully that will start with three points against Thistle on Saturday.”