Stirling Albion 1-4 Clyde

The Bully Wee turned in one of their best performances of the campaign to record an emphatic victory over Stirling Albion this afternoon.

Darren Young made one change to his side, with Callum Hannah coming in at left-back for Tommy Robson who was struggling with a knock. He dropped to the bench alongside Ross Lyon and Robbie Leitch, who both returned to the squad.

After a stop-start opening fifteen minutes, Marley Redfern was on hand to score the first goal. Jamie Bradley picked up the ball of the half-way line and drove forward. A pass and return from Kyle Connell gave Bradley the space to fizz a ball into the box. Redfern arrived perfectly and was able to dink the keeper with a spectacular finish.

Clyde would continue to attack. A flowing move started by Bradley would see Taylor Sutherland have a chance at the back post but his volley was just tipped over the bar by Stirling keeper Gaston. The following corner was headed out by the Stirling defence but Callum Hannah was able to retrieve the ball and find Bradley, who drilled a cross back in on the volley and found Kyle Connell’s head perfectly. However, Connell’s header would go by the post by mere inches.

Clyde continued to apply pressure as Gaston was forced into another impressive save, following Logan Dunachie’s header from a freekick,

Clyde’s second began with a neat switch of play from Kyle Connell. Work from Taylor Sutherland and Darren Hynes saw the ball be whipped into the box, where Connell was able acrobatically volley it into the net.

Connell had another chance to add to his goal tally shortly after. The ball bobbled through the box and eventually fell at his feet, but the shot was sliced and went out for a goal kick.

Persistence from Connell and Bradley following a Hannah clearance allowed Bradley to hit a venomous volley from 25 yards out. Gaston was able to get a palm to the dipping shot, making another remarkable save. The following corner saw Dunachie head the ball just wide.

Good holdup from Sutherland allowed Clyde to attack once again, with Bradley taking the ball and switching it to the opposite flank. Hannah’s ball in was dangerous but was just cleared by a Stirling defender.

Having won the ball back from a Stirling player, Redfern would unleash Sutherland with a well-weighted chipped ball. Baring down on goal, Sutherland used his strength to hold off his man, before quickly spinning and getting a shot away at goal, which rifled past Gaston and put Clyde three goals up.

Stirling would have a rare chance moments after. A whipped cross would reach Shanley but his effort was well wide of the goal.

Shanley was able to makeup for this mistake moments later. A poor clearance from the Clyde backline was picked up by Shanley, who took one touch and unleashed a volley that sailed past Hemfrey.

Smart linkup from Bradley and Redfern allowed Clyde to make their way forward. Connell dropped dead to collect the ball and unleash the on-running Hynes, who crossed the ball to the back post. Bradley was able to get something on it and it sailed over Gaston’s head and nestled in the back of the net.

Gaston would make another smart save near the end of the game, as the ball fell to Leitch following a corner, who tried to put past the outstretched keeper but was unable.

Picture by David Simmonds