Clyde got their campaign off to an ideal start with a nerve wracking victory over their old rivals, Partick Thistle, on a hot afternoon in Cumbernauld. The Bully Wee started off with a 433 formation, with new signings Balmer, Bollan, Sheridan, Wilford and Arbuckle all starting:
Halliwell
Mensing Potter Balmer Bollan
J.Gibson Sheridan Fotheringham
Arbuckle Wilford Harty
Thistle lined up with ex-Clyde players Leigh Hinds and Jamie Mitchell in their 1st eleven:
Arthur
B.Gibson Dowie Murray Fleming
Anis Fulton Howie Mitchell
Hinds Escales
Thistle started well and Mitchell had several efforts on goal, however they were all dealt with by Bryn Halliwell easily. Clyde's best attempts were from creative work by the gangly Aron Wilford, but none of these led to a goal attempt of any note. Gary Arbuckle then dropped deeper to give the Bully Wee a 442 formation and this coincided with a slight change in the pattern of play, as Clyde started to get the ball into Thistle's area.
Jimmy Gibson hit a shot that was easy for Kenny Arthur to gather, before Arbuckle had a close range effort deflected narrowly past after a flowing attacking move. The opening goal came, when Arbuckle beat a couple of players, and the ball eventually found its way in towards Ian Harty in acres of space, and he eventually stroked it past Arthur after checking to see if he was onside.
Thistle then began to force Clyde back into their area, and Leigh Hinds had a shot superbly blocked by Stuart Balmer, and as the ball came towards Mitchell, he could only win a corner. Despite their possesion, Clyde looked dangerous on the break, and on the stroke of half time, doubled our lead. A slack pass by Hinds led to a swift breakaway involving Wilford and Harty, which resulted in the latter sweeping a low cross in for Jimmy Gibson to sidefoot home unchallenged.
Half time came and went with no substitutions, but Thistle had soon introduced the giant Armand One onto the pitch. Mitchell then had a good shout for a penalty turned down although he had dived in the build up, so justice was done. Then, after a late foul by Sheridan, who had already been booked, Andy Dowie was booked for dissent towards the referee, which seconds later turned into a red card for the big centreback as he persisted in his complaints to Kevin Toner. This led to Thistle's most dangerous player, Leigh Hinds, being withdrawn as they had to re-jig their defence.
Clyde then sat back on their lead, helped by some entertaining goalkeeping from Halliwell, which included a superb stop from Billy Gibson. However, Thistle got right back into the match, when captain John Potter tried to knock a long ball down the middle back to Halliwell, but mishit the pass, and Juan Ramon Escales nipped in to go around Halliwell and slot home. To be honest, it was the only way Thistle were going to get a goal at that point. Escales looked good when dropping deep, but looked nothing like a striker who will score 20 goals as he has claimed he will. With 5 minutes left, Jimmy Gibson was given his second booking. It was probably a bookable offence, however his first booking was for a silly foul, and he literally only had two fouls in the match. This led to more pressure from Thistle, but the best chance fell to Gilhaney, who lobbed weakly at Arthur.
So, an impressive win for Clyde. Thistle looked good in midfield, and Hinds was useful up front. Defensively they were all over the place however, and looked like mid-table material at best on this form.
As for the Bully Wee, Halliwell, Potter (bar his blunder), Gibson, Wilford and Sheridan were all excellent. Wilford will cause teams all sorts of problems this season, he's big, very good in the air, and decent on the deck. Sheridan is a workhorse, with a smashing left foot. However, I felt MoM was Stuart Balmer, who was extremely solid at the back and made several timely interventions. After this game, I'm quietly confident now about our chances of staying in this division and maybe even surprising a few people in the process. |
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