Stirling Albion 0-1 Clyde

Clyde’s Ladbrokes League 2 campaign got off to a winning start today, as Scott Linton’s second half penalty earned a hard-fought victory over Stirling Albion at Forthbank.

With Mark McLaughlin ruled out through injury, Barry Ferguson made one change to the starting line-up following last week’s cup tie at Livingston, with Archie Campbell coming in.

The Bully Wee started the match well and were first to come close to an opening goal when Michael Bolochoweckyj’s header forced Stirling ‘keeper Smith into a superb save. However, moments later, John Gibson was also in action at the other end to prevent a low shot from finding the net.

Shortly before half-time, Archie Campbell found some space at the edge of the box and put a shot just wide of the far post, but the scoreline remained blank at half-time.

A very tight second half saw few chances on goal at either end, but Stirling had a claim for handball in the box waved away by the referee.

On 75 minutes, the match official was given a much easier decision though, when David Gormley took advantage of a mistake by The Binos’ Mark Staunton to get goal-side of the defender and force him into a professional foul only yards from goal. Staunton was red carded and Scott Linton stepped up to score with an excellent penalty kick.

10-man Stirling pushed for an equaliser but created little in the remaining minutes, although Chris Smith did well to clear a speculative effort that looked like it may find the roof of the net.

If you were at today’s match and are a CIC owner with a website account, you can vote for your top three performers in the Man of the Match vote.