Stenhousemuir 1-1 Clyde

Clyde secured a 1-1 draw in this afternoon’s friendly match with Stenhousemuir at Ochilview.

The Bully Wee, led by Paul Hay, were under pressure in the early stages of the match and had to thank on-loan ‘keeper Felip Mentel for keeping the scores level after the Slovakian saved well from close range.

The game plan was disrupted in the 23rd minute when manager Jim Duffy had to make a double substitution due to Ryan Kane sustaining a hamstring injury and Daniel Fitzpatrick becoming ill.

For the remainder of the half Stenhousemuir – who fielded a number of experienced players including ex-Bully Wee captains Ross McMillan and Paul McHale – dominated possession but failed to create many clear-cut chances as Clyde worked hard to close their Second Division opponents down and the sides went in level at half time.

The second half immediately sparked to life as the Warriors hit the woodwork and were denied by some last ditch defending and brave goalkeeping again by Mentel. However, the deadlock was finally broken when the ever dangerous Stevie Murray crossed the ball for Stewart Kean to head home on the hour mark.

Encouragingly for the away support this set back spurred Clyde on and the Bully Wee responded well. The young side began to take the game to Stenhousemuir and soon got their reward when Steph McDonald combined well with youth striker Jordan Fitzpatrick and fired the ball home from outside the box.

Clyde could have taken the lead when John Neil hit a long range shot which narrowly missed the target but it was not to be. The goal had though given Clyde confidence and the Bully Wee were seen more as an attacking force as the game progressed but there was to be no further goals and a draw was a fair result.