Halliwell
Mensing Potter Bollan
Bryson Gibson Walker Sheridan Gilhaney
Harty Wilford
Queens made several changes from last weekend also, with ex-Celtic player Brian McLaughlin injured, Eric Paton suffering from flu and ex-Queens player Derek Lyle returning from Dunfermline.
Scott
Wood Thomson Reid English
Gibson Bowey Bagen Burns
McNiven Lyle
The first real action of the match came after 9 minutes, when Clyde took the lead. QotS had plenty of possession but didn't create anything and a mistake by their leftback, Tommy English, saw Bryson seize on the loose ball. When his shot was blocked, top scorer Ian Harty fired home the rebound.
From the restart, Queens had an immediate chance to level. A neat one-two on the edge of the box saw David McNiven have a clear sight of goal but he fired straight at Bryn Halliwell. Another chance for McNiven saw the big English 'keeper save well down to his right. Clyde then tightened up at the back and came close on a couple of occasions at the other end, with Potter heading straight to Colin Scott, and Gilhaney shooting over. Harty was also pushed in the back by Brian Reid but the referee decided to not award a spot kick. Gilhaney was then booked after a flare up with the Queens No.7.
Then, when it seemed like 1-0 would be the half-time score, Clyde doubled their lead. More slack defending allowed Wilford to steal the ball, Bryson ran into the area and was tripped by a defender. The referee had no doubts and awarded the penalty. Harty stepped up to send Scott the wrong way and Clyde had a comfortable 2-0 lead.
After the break, a neat passing move almost saw Gilhaney played in. Jimmy Gibson then dived to send a header past the post as Clyde searched for the goal which would have clinched it. With Darren Sheridan outstanding in midfield, Clyde always looked the more likely to score another and a mistake by Thomson saw Wilford clean through on goal. He rounded Scott, but Thomson got back to clear off of the line.
Queens then introduced the lively Jaconelli and the towering Chris Armstrong but the closest they came to getting back into the match was a lovely cross by Lyle which Simon Mensing superbly headed clear. The introduction of young substitutes Aron Conway and Kevin Bradley gave Clyde a bit more life late on and Bradley fired just over after an excellent run.
So, with players like Malone, Wilson and Arbuckle all missing, a tough tie was expected for Clyde. However, a solid defence, which didn't concede a goal in October, combined with the industry in midfield of Sheridan and Gibson and the finishing of Harty was enough to see off Queens, in possibly Clyde's best display this season.
Sheridan was undoubtedly man of the match. Against the highly-rated Bowey, he controlled the game and didn't waste a pass. Jimmy Gibson returned to something resembling his best form and the other central midfielder, Alex Walker, also played very well. At the back, Halliwell and Potter marshalled the defence superbly and Mensing and Bollan also did well.
Overall, no downpoints for Clyde, it was an efficient display. Queens never really looked like taking anything from the match and maybe just don't have enough to be title challengers this season.