Clydebank 0 Ashfield F & A C 1 , Holm Park, Yoker - Kick-Off 2pm


Ashfield produced a superb performance this afternoon and took the three points after Darren O`Donnell finished off a lovely move on the left wing in the last minute to the delight of the Players, Management & Supporters. A large crowd assembled at the vastly improving Holm Park with, for the first Saturday in many months, the sun greeting the players onto the park. Both teams were wearing their traditional strips and this encounter was eagerly awaited.

Both Teams started off at great pace with the wingers on either side driving at the opposing defenders who stood firm in the early stages. The first chance of the Match fell to the Bankies who were awarded a Free-Kick on the edge of the Ashfield Box after 13 minutes. The `Wall` withheld the drive at goal and the ball was cleared to safety however this was a warning to the `field who were competing well, especially in the middle of the park. It was a really good contest with defences on top however the next chance again fell to the home side after excellent work on the left resulted in a cross being diverted narrowly wide of goal by the Bankies Centre Forward, Stevie Dallas, to the relief of the Ashfield defenders.

Two minutes later & it was Ashfield`s turn to go close after a lovely mazy run from Craig Smith resulted in the Ashfield Centre driving the ball narrowly over.

It was end to end stuff at this stage, however Ashfield had to re-organise the back four after Jim Smith had to go off with an injury & was replaced by his brother Alan, who like his brother, produced an outstanding display keeping the lively bankies forwards quiet.
As Half Time approached, Chris Prior in the Ashfield Goal produced a brilliant one handed save to deny Paul Allum and ensure the game went into the interval all square.



HALF TIME:- CLYDEBANK 0 ASHFIELD 0

The home side had put the `field under a fair bit of pressure during the first half however the Second Half produced a really even contest with the best chances falling to the Saracen Park side, capitalising on quick break-aways. This coupled with a really disciplined defensive display was to bear fruit later on in the Match. It was a real `tug-of-war` in the middle of the park with Mark Thomson & Ryan Cairley and then Shaun Fraser, having the best of the exchanges. Midway through the half both sides hit the woodwork within 3 minutes - firstly Chris Prior in the `field goal had to watch as a wicked cross was headed against the cross-bar by the onrushing Bankies forward and a few minutes later a looping shot by Craig Smith hit the top of the Bankies Bar.

Both teams made changes in a bid to win the Match with Charlie Hobbs coming on for Clydebank & Derek Carmichael making his first competitive appearance for Ashfield up front. However as the game headed towards time, it was the visitors who produced the bit of magic to seal the points this afternoon at Holm Park. The impressive Shaun Fraser played a delightful through ball to Alistair Martin on the left wing. The Left winger drove at the Clydebank defence, cutting the ball back to the onrushing Darren O`Donnell to scramble the ball home to the delight of the travelling support. This was O`Donnell`s 4th goal of the season and probably the most important of the campaign so far.

The game finished a bit tetchy and the Ashfield goalscorer found himself heading for an early bath after receiving a second yellow card. However it was the `field who held out for a memorable win to hoist themselves up to 5th place in the West SuperLeague First Division.


FINAL SCORE:- CLYDEBANK 0 ASHFIELD 1



Man of the Match:- All of the players in the Black & White hoops put in a tremendous shift this afternoon however in his first season in Junior Football, Jamie Coll did not put a foot wrong against a very talented Clydebank front line.

Attendance:- 350 appx

Photographs by:- Inga