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BANKIES TOPPLE DUNIPACE AFF THE TOP OF THE TABLE AS GOALS FROM CRAWFORD AND HAILSTONES SEAL WIN

Clydebank 2-0 Dunipace

Clydebank went top of the table thanks to a convincing victory over the previously-unbeaten Dunipace, in front of a crowd of 445.

As I stood next to Hailstone's proud father, I took note of the teams for this match.  Here's how both sides lined up:

More to the point, here's how the Clydebank players took to the field:

In typical fashion, the match kicked off a couple of minutes late, and within the first minute of the game Maxwell fired a shot just wide of Meighan's right hand post.  A very positive start for the Bankies.

Dunipace were playing in Juventus colours, and had that Italian spirit of being dirty hackers as well.  More on that later, though.  While Clydebank lined up in their now usual 3-5-2 formation, Dunipace had an interesting 1-3-4-2 formation, with More being the sweeper at the back.

With 4 minutes gone, Mark Hailstones found space on the right of the penalty box, and cut to the touchline.  He whipped in a cross for anyone to get to, but Meighan cut it out well.  A minute later, while Meighan had a decent start to the match, Halpin had an almost-costly blunder, misjudging the bounce of the ball as it went over him, and it went just wide of the goal.  An early scare for the strong Bankies support.

Clydebank won a free kick after 9 minutes, which Hailstones took.  It was very close, but it curled just wide of goal.  With 15 minutes played, the controversial incident involving Wilson, his 2 feed and Halpin's face took place.  Halpin came out to collect the ball on the ground, and as he secured the ball was in his hands, Wilson dove in with both feet, studs showing as well, on Halpin.  His head got the worst of it, and there was an almighty uproar from the Bankies in the crowd.  Despite this dangerous tackle, it resulted in only a booking for Wilson.

Clydebank kept playing their usual game, and dominating as well.  Sean Brady threw the ball into a dangerous area of the penalty box, and as Meighan tried to deal with it, his own defender flicked it over him, and Jon Crawford was waiting at the back post to head it in, and make the score Clydebank 1-0 Dunipace, after 20 minutes.

5 minutes after this goal, Rogers was booked for some more horrific tackles being inflicted on the Bankies team.  After Halpin's horror blunder earlier, he made up for it by producing a fine save on 29 minutes, and then Crawford blocked a rebound to deny Dunipace an equaliser.

Clydebank went right up the park after this and won a corner.  Waddell swung it in, only for it to be headed away.  It went as far as Hailstones, who sliced his shot.  It lost a lot of power, and the goalkeeper pounced to prevent the Bankies doubling their lead.

The next 5 minutes saw chances blocked from both sides, a Dunipace shot well charged down, and then a minute after Waddell's free kick blocked.  Both defences were on seemingly good form, it was Dunipace's attackers I was angry at, their dangerous tackles and how they took full advantage of the referee's leniency.

Mark Hailstone's dad couldn't believe his eyes when he saw his son squander a chance on 38 minutes.  A cross was headed back across by Crawford, and Hailstones went to volley it into the back of the net.  UNFORTUNATELY, he barely made contact with the ball, and the chance was lost.  Good play from Clydebank, though, encouraging to watch.

40 minutes: DUNIPACE SUB - Rennie ON, McVittie OFF

With a couple of minutes remaining until half time, Sinclair Soutar tried his luck from what seemed like 40 yards.  The ball just wouldn't dip, though, and went sailing over the crossbar.  The last chance of the half fell to Dunipace, their free kick on the edge of the box was well blocked from the defensive wall.  The ref blew his whistle, and the half time score was:

CLYDEBANK 1-0 DUNIPACE

An interesting half time, while Mark Hailstone's brother went in goal for Meghi and co to whack shots into, I had a quick word with Graham Mackay.  Good to see him at Glenhead Park once again, if only to support his former team.

Dunipace made their second substitution on half time, the booked Rogers going off for Glasgow.

What a difference a half makes!  Now it looked like Clydebank were, on paper, hacking into Dunipace.  I thought the ref was acting a bit weird, it's like he had different rules for each team.  Anyway, Waddell was booked on 53 minutes.

A minute after this, Halpin rose to punch the ball clear, but it fell right to a Dunipace player.  His volley went well wide, it was a good chance wasted.  And a minute after THIS attack, Clydebank nearly scored through a Waddell free kick.  He curled it in nicely, and Maxwell just couldn't connect with the header.

A few minutes later, Halpin had to be alert to stop a header going in.  Dunipace kept attacking, a corner kick just cleared from the Bankies defence.  A minute later, Clydebank made their first substitution, Derek Readie coming on for Des Kelly.

With this change, Hailstones moved into Des Kelly's old position in midfield, and Readie took up Hailstone's place up front.

Maxwell showed some lovely skill to create a chance for Readie, Maxwell passing it through to him on the edge of the penalty box.  His cross was poor, though, and easily dealt with by Meighan.

65 minutes: DUNIPACE SUB - McKinley OFF, Watson ON

With 20 agonisingly-long minutes remaining, Maxwell had a shot go just wide of goal, when it seemed like he wouldn't be able to get a shot in.  He came very close to scoring, and was unlucky not to.

Sinclair Soutar was booked on 76 minutes, which left Clydebank fans scratching their heads as to why Dunipace players weren't booked for similar looking challenges all throughout the first half.

77 minutes: CLYDEBANK SUB - Waddell OFF, McIntyre ON

81 minutes: CLYDEBANK SUB - Maxwell OFF, Tolland ON

After Clydebank's final substitution, they almost scored through a free kick.  It was lifted into the crowded penalty box, and a Pace defender almost scored an own goal with it!

Watson was booked on 85 minutes, and a minute later, Hailstones secured the win.  His control and skill took him past 1 defender, and he placed it perfectly into the opposite corner to send Clydebank fans nuts, his dad nuts and to make it Clydebank 2-0 Dunipace, after 86 minutes.

Brian Harkins was booked for his celebrations of kicking the ball away.  The referee deemed it as wasting time, preventing the re-start of play.  Tolland came mighty close to making it 3-0 on 88 minutes, his shot tipped onto the crossbar.  Into injury time, Readie had a weak shot easily saved, and Clydebank had a couple of corners swung in by McIntyre, but shots were merely blocked.  The ref blew for full time, and the score was:

CLYDEBANK 2-0 DUNIPACE

In-depth Analysis

To me, it was obvious how Dunipace were on top of the table.  2 of their previous 3 league games, they won it against 9 men.  They provoked the opposition into reacting to their disgraceful challenges.  It almost worked against us, but to no avail, nobody lost the plot for us today.  Dunipace DID look good in the second half, they CAN play football!  They just prefer to play dirty, it seems...

Des Kelly, I don't know how bad this knock he picked up last week was.  But he didn't seem to be playing today, which was a shame.  Halpin did well, after having a poor start had little to do, except make a couple of easy saves and get kicked in the face.  A clean sheet for Halpin, but I feel it's down to the now-awesome defence Clydebank have.

Fallen's really starting to play good, thanks to Harkins at the heart of it leading and controlling at the back.  Our defence was phenomenol today, and one of them, Graeme Dempsey, won the official Man of the Match award.

Do I agree he's man of the match?  I could say yes, and leave it at that, but he wasn't the only player who was great today.  To give credit to Dempsey, he usually is attack-minded, but was very defensive today.  He did a very good job of just staying at the back, he usually loves to drive forward.  His defensive performance was promising to watch, and I hope he'll keep up the good work.  Harkins, Crawford, Hailstones...who to pick, who to pick...I know wee Mark goes on this site, lol, but I'll give others a chance.  Though it doesn't really matter, MY man of the match goes to....Mark Hailstone's brother, who was in goals at half time!

OK, no more joking around, my man of the match is Clinton Maxwell, due to his persistance and skill throughout the match.  Always creative, and showed some lovely touches and accurate passing.  Hope he keeps up the good work, and I am confident that the rest of the team are feeling good about their performances today.

Here's a diagram to show the runs made by the Clydebank players today:

My man of the match: Clinton Maxwell

C'mon the Bankies!