Partick Thistle 2-1 Clyde

Clyde exited the ALBA Challenge Cup at Firhill this afternoon, but it wasn’t before a spirited and encouraging performance by the new-look Bully Wee team.

Backed by a strong and vocal away support, Clyde started the match in a positive manner. It was the Jags that grabbed the opening goal after 12 minutes though, when Liam Buchanan gathered the ball in the box, rounded JC Hutchison and managed to squeeze a shot into the net.

The Clyde team – which went on to include a total of nine debutants including substitutes – didn’t let that setback get them down, however, and went on to match their First Division opponents for the rest of the first half.

Connor Stevenson had a great chance with a header from close range and, at the other end, Hutchison had to be sharp to pull off a fine save from a high volley.

Captain Adam Strachan recorded a brilliant and well-deserved equaliser on the half hour mark. Following good work by Marc McCusker to win a free-kick outside the box, Strachan stepped up to put a fantastic shot into the top corner and past ex-Clyde ‘keeper Bryn Halliwell.

The second half was less eventful in terms of efforts on goal at either end and the home side enjoyed a bigger share of possession, without causing too much threat on goal.

They did managed to force a winner though, through Ryan MacBeth. The midfielder collected a loose ball at the edge of the box and sent a shot through a crowd of players, which possibly took a small deflection on its way into the bottom corner of the net.

Stuart Millar’s men made a decent attempt at forcing the tie into extra-time, creating some half chances in the closing stages, but it wasn’t to be.

Overall, there were certainly many positives for Clyde to take from a match played against higher opposition and so early in the squad’s development as a team.

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