Clydebank F C 1 Ashfield F & A C 0 , Holm Park, Yoker. Kick-Off 6.45pm

An excellent Match this evening at Holm Park ended with Clydebank taking the three points after going ahead as early as the 5th Minute. Ashfield produced a very good performance which had everything apart from goals and were guilty of scorning a number of opportunities throughout the Match. Clydebank were playing at their new Home for the first time and a healthy attendance watched both teams produce a fiercely contested match.

Ashfield were again sporting their new away strip of all Red, and Clydebank came out in Yellow and Black, however it was the Bankies that came `out the traps` first and put the `field under pressure from the Kick-Off forcing a couple of early corners, which were eventually scrambled to safety by the Ashfield back four.

Just when it seemed that Ashfield had weathered the storm, Clydebank broke down the right and the winger delivered a wicked cross which was deflected on to the foot of Scobie who managed to wedge the ball between Reilly and McGovern and into the net. Clydebank 1 Ashfield 0.

Ashfield were struggling at this stage and Clydebank forced another couple of corners which were defended well. After the first 15 minutes of play towards the Ashfield goal, the `field started to play their usual passing game and started to produce some superb Football resulting in new signing Craig Smith coming close on a couple of occasions. Ashfield`s new signing has pace in abundance and was really causing concern in the Bankies defence, which resulted in a booking to Smith`s marker., From the following free kick, the ball broke well to Tony Chalmers, however the `wee man` drilled his shot narrowly over. A minute later and Craig Smith went through one on one only to be denied by the excellent Clydebank Keeper.

Following more Ashfield pressure on the left, a resulting corner was headed narrowly wide by Paul Maxwell. At this stage Ashfield were wondering what they had to do to score. Clydebank`s keeper was having `one of those nights` and blocked anything that Ashfield could throw at him. However just on Half -Time, it was Clydebank that almost increased their lead after excellent work down the right, saw a lovely floated cross bounce off McGovern`s bar to safety.

HALF TIME:- CLYDEBANK 1 ASHFIELD 0

Both teams had produced some super Football on a very heavy pitch and the large crowd had appreciated the efforts of both teams. Ashfield carried on where they had left off in the First Half and had the Bankies on the back foot for long spells during the second half. There were not as many clear cut chances as the First Half, however the `star of the show `again was the Gallic sounding Bankies Keeper who was commanding his box expertedly.

Ashfield`s Top Scorer of the last two seasons - Darren O`Donnell replaced the luckless Tony Chalmers and almost brought Ashfield level with a close range header from a free kick. Following some concerted pressure Ashfield thought they had equalised when a brilliant free kick from Gordon Passmore was headed onto the Clydebank post and eventually cleared to safety.

Clydebank made a couple of changes and came back at Ashfield strongly in the closing stages and had a shot from the edge of the box hit the top of Stevie McGovern`s bar, before being cleared to safety. It was a terriic game of Football in difficult underfoot conditions and both teams showed that they will be forces to be reckoned with in their respective Leagues this season. Only black mark of the night was the unfortunate Sending-Off of Mark Thomson on the 88th Minute for speaking out of turn, after an earlier booking.

From an Ashfield perspective, it was a really good performance against a strong Clydebank side and despite failing to score, it looks like we have the makings of an excellent side, who play for the Team, The Management and Supporters. Good luck to the Bankies in the coming season and we all look forward to Lochburn Park on Saturday against Maryhill......................C`mon the `field !!!!

FULL TIME:- CLYDEBANK 1 ASHFIELD 0

Man of the Match:- There was not a failure in the Ashfield Team, however despite excellent performances from Davie Gumley, Gordon Passmore and Craig Smith, the MOM goes to Jamie Reilly who never put a foot wrong all night.

Attendance:- 325

Photographs by:- Inga