Clyde and St Mirren play out goalless draw

Last updated : 05 September 2004 By David Worton
Clyde stay on top of the SFL after another clean sheet, however they lost their 100% winning record this season. Going into the match, Clyde had won 6 games on the trot this season and hadn't conceded a goal in over 6 hours. The Bully Wee gave new boy Eddie Malone his first start for the club and also included recent signings Arron Conway and Scott Wilson.

Halliwell
Mensing Wilson Potter Malone
Bryson Sheridan Gibson Conway
Harty Wilford

The Saint's chose not to field ex-Clyde youngster John Baird, or their other promising youngster, Ryan McCay, choosing to bring in Laurie Ellis and Ricky Gillies for Mixu Paatelainen and Simon Lappin.

Hinchcliffe
McGowne Millen Broadfoot
Van Zanten Murray Gillies Reilly Ellis
O'Neill McGinty

The match started with Clyde looking to hit long for Wilford at every opportuinity, whereas St Mirren passed the ball about neatly, but without much effect. The first real chance fell to John O'Neill, who's close range effort was blocked away by Halliwell. Clyde then settled down and changed to a 343 formation, with both Malone and Conway pushing up from their original positions. They still didn't create too many chances, against a St Mirren defence well marshalled by Andy Millen. David Van Zanten earned the first booking of the match for a late tackle on Ian Harty.

Kirk Broadfoot then went on a mazy run for St Mirren, but his shot ended up flying miles over Halliwell's crossbar. Conway created Clyde's only real effort when he cut inside, but his fizzing effort was well held by Hinchcliffe. At the other end, McGinty brought out a good save from Halliwell, with a low shot that was creeping in at the near post. At half time, the fans settled down, believing that the second half could hardly be any worse than a disappointing first period.

At half time, Clyde introduced Gary Arbuckle for Craig Bryson. The first real chance of the half fell to St Mirren and it should have resulted in the opening goal. A cross from the left wing was headed by O'Neill onto the post and as it came back to him, he sidefooted wide of an empty goal from just 4 yards out. That chance seemed to spur Clyde on and Wilford created a glorious chance, only to over complicate things and eventually be tackled. Conway blasted the rebound against a defender and the ball was soon cleared. With defences still on top, both teams introduced young legs to try and break the other team down. Saints introduced Baird and McCay and Clyde brought on Mark Gilhaney and Kevin Bradley. Gillies, Ellis, Wilson and Conway all left the park. Gilhaney then had a good shout for a penalty turned down as he went over in the box. After this, both teams seemed to settle for a point and only a volley from Bradley came close to breaking the stalemate.

So, both teams have only conceded 5 goals between them this season and it was easy to see why. All of the outstanding performances were from defenders. St Mirren's Man of the Match, Andy Millen was aided by McGowne and Broadfoot, while at the other end, Potter, Mensing and new boy Malone all had impressive games. I'm going to award Clyde's Man of the Match to Simon Mensing, who was strong in the tackle and good coming forward.

St Mirren seemed to lack a focal point to their attacks, but were good in midfield. Clyde didn't control the game in the middle of the park and this resulted in the strikers having to create their own chances. On the balance of play and taking into account the lack of efforts on goal, a 0-0 draw was a fair scoreline.