Edinburgh City 1-4 Clyde
Clyde moved to within two points of the William Hill League Two summit this afternoon, courtesy of an impressive win at a wet and blustery Meadowbank.
Darren Young made two changes from last week’s draw versus Elgin, with Craig Howie restored to the starting line-up and Robbie Leitch replacing Andy Murdoch, who joined Mouhamed Niang on the sidelines.
The Bully Wee started the match with intent despite playing into the wind and almost led in the opening minutes. Smart combination play down the right channel resulted in the ball being squared to Kyle Connell, but the striker’s close-range effort drew a fine reaction stop from home ‘keeper Mark Weir.
Edinburgh quickly seized control of the game in what were immensely challenging conditions, but it was Clyde who took the lead. High balls caused problems throughout the game and, from a Connell long throw, the ball eventually sat nicely for Kyle Fleming. The midfielder stroked a tidy left-footed finish into the bottom corner, capping a fine period of personal form with his first Bully Wee goal.
Clyde were penned back in the aftermath of the opener and rode their luck with a series of last-ditch blocks, Hogarth saves and poor finishes. A spirited defensive performance looked like giving the visitors the advantage going into the break, but Greig Allen’s low free-kick squirmed past Jay Hogarth at the near post with virtually the last kick of the half to bring parity to proceedings.
Undeterred by that concession, Clyde emerged for the second half with impetus and the strong wind now at their backs. Marley Redfern tested Weir once again with a dipping effort and the experienced ‘keeper had to reach high to tip the ball over his crossbar.
It wasn’t long before the visitors’ mounting pressure told, however. Darren Hynes pressed in Edinburgh’s half and after turning the ball over, he fed Redfern in the box. The winger steadied himself and probably should’ve scored, but his strike was parried as far as a suspiciously offside-looking Connell, who sclaffed home in the absence of an offside flag.
Edinburgh then had a rare chance to bring the scores level when Malik Zaid gathered the ball in the Clyde box, but his angled attempt drifted wide of Hogarth’s goal.
Darren Young’s men maintained their pressure after taking the lead and tested Weir on a few more occasions, before grabbing an all-important third goal just inside the last quarter of an hour. The travelling contingent of Clyde Santas exploded onto the running track after Kyle Connell was presented with a gift in the Edinburgh box, keeping his cool before slotting home his second of the game.
Redfern was denied again from close range by Weir shortly after the third, but the home side responded well and exerted some pressure of their own, striking Hogarth’s post flush as they sought to claw their way back into the game.
Clyde made sure of the points in added time though, with Redfern finally beating Weir. Substitute Scott Williamson held the ball up brilliantly before knocking it across to Clyde’s top scorer, who edged ahead of his marker to scramble home, sparking big celebrations in the away end.