| Strathclyde Cup 2nd Round | |
| 11th March 2006 Peterson Park Playing Fields |
|
| Clydebank Thistle | 1 |
| Windlaw | 1 |
| Carey.Penalties:Carey,McInally,K.McCann,Nugent | |
| Windlaw Win 4-2 on penalties | |
Star Man: Windlaw Manager Gary Wilson felt that he couldn't pick out any individual in particular. He said "It was pleasing to bounce back with a win after last week against a team who we will surely be meeting on league duty next season." For Clydebank's part, big Ricky Patterson at the back was immense and their Number 9 for the second time against us looked very impressive.
Action Details
A depleted Windlaw squad had to make three enforced changes from last week's Greenhills defeat with Thornton, Zanda Dougall and Neeson being replaced by McInally, Docherty and Chris Kerr. In the other change, Kevin McCann dropped to the bench to be replaced by Alan Nugent.
In what was always going to be a tight game played on a tight pitch, clear cut chances were at a premium. Perhaps though, an early indication of the type of frustration Windlaw were to endure came after 10 minutes when Benny Carey's header from a long throw hit the inside of the post and bounced along the line before being bundled to safety. Clydebank were being well marshalled at the back by Ricky Patterson who was dominant in the air and were pressing Windlaw well in midfield where Carmichael and Chris Kerr were struggling to get a foothold on the game. Their pressing game paid dividends on 42 minutes when Thistle took the lead following Windlaw possession. The Windlaw midfield were robbed 10 yards inside the Thistle half and after a surging run down the Windlaw left, a superbly flighted cross which dissected the back-tracking McInally and the onrushing John Lunny was beautifully glanced home by the Thistle Number 9 who had looked lively throughout. Windlaw then had to see off a free-kick in a dangerous position before referee Steve Sweeney blew for half-time.
Half Time: Clydebank Thistle 1 Windlaw 0
After a half-time rollicking, Windlaw came out with much more purpose in the second half and began to build pressure on the Clydebank defence with long throws and corners beginning to rain in. The pressure however was not resulting in any increased workload for the Clydebank keeper as the headers and shots were off-target and the Thistle defence were coping well. Kevin McCann replaced a frustrated John McCabe after an hour. The time was ebbing away with Windlaw's entire season on the line and among the pressure Allan Dougall fizzed one just over from inside the penalty box. Then Benny Carey again hit the post with a shot amid a goalmouth scramble following McInally's blocked shot and you then sensed the home side would see this one out. Indeed on 80 minutes, Thistle thought they had clinched the winner when Docherty's misplaced back-header was seized upon, however in rounding John Lunny, one forward had passed to another who was in an offside position before he tapped home, meaning the goal was disallowed. With 6 minutes remaining, Benny Carey made it third time lucky when he headed home the equaliser. Kevin McCann's quickly taken corner found the Thistle defence not quite organised and an unmarked Carey's header fell perfectly between the crossbar and the jumping Thistle defender's head for a deserved equaliser on pressure alone. In the dying minutes, both sides had corners but could not force the winner, sending the tie straight into penalty kicks without extra-time.
Full Time: Clydebank Thistle 1 Windlaw 1
Penalties: Clydebank Thistle missed their first two kicks, one hitting the bar and the second struck the post. Windlaw converted all of their first four kicks through Carey, McInally, McCann and Nugent to go through to a last 16 home tie against Vale United.
Clydebank Thistle 2 Windlaw 4 (after penalty kicks)
Summing Up - A second poor performance on the bounce by Windlaw almost ended their season abruptly. This should be a real wake-up call for the side who look out of sorts just now. Thistle take all the plaudits from this and will do well in Division One next season. No team will relish their trip to Peterson Park on this form and Windlaw can feel fortunate to have emerged twice from this hazardous venue with two slender cup victories this season.
