CLYDEBANK lifted the Sectional League Cup with a fine 2-0 win over Pollok on Sunday afternoon.
A first half own goal and Josh Watt’s strike were enough to clinch Kieran McAnespie’s first managerial title.
McAnespie made his first appearance of the season as one of six changes that saw Scott Morrison, David Verlaque, Johnny Allan, Matt McLean and Josh Watt all return to the starting lineup in a 4-4-2 formation – with Shelvey and Watt leading the line.
After a fairly promising opening quarter, Bankies sprung into life and should’ve taken the lead. Jordan Shelvey burst on to a long ball over the top and ran at the Lok defence, with ‘keeper Jordan Longmuir producing a finger tip save to deny the striker.
But Clydebank did break the deadlock seven minutes later in fortunate circumstances. Matt McLean – the first product of Clydebank’s new youth structure to make the first team – rifled a long throw into the heart of the penalty box.
Lok defender Paul Gallacher nodded the ball off the unfortunate Bryan Wharton and the ball bounced past Longmuir to give Bankies the lead.
And five minutes before the break, Clydebank doubled their advantage. Watt disposed Lok defender Ross Brash in possession and raced through on goal. Longmuir blocked the winger’s initial shot before coolly firing home at the second attempt.
It was a dominant first 45 minutes from Clydebank and it took until the 41st minute for Pollok to register a real chance of note. Gary McCann, who scored in the 4-0 defeat last month, forced a strong stop from Scott Morrison as Bankies went into the break two goals to the good.
Just after the restart, Lok had their first real chance of the game when David Verlaque’s sliced clearance fell perfectly into the path of Ryan McGregor, but the midfielder skewed his effort from six yards wide of the target.
Five minutes later Bankies should’ve added a third from the penalty spot after Jamie Darroch was pulled down inside the area by McGregor. Jordan Shelvey assumed responsibly but his penalty was expertly beaten away by Longmuir.
Midway through the second period Johnny Allan, returning from injury, made a last ditch block to thwart Allan MacKenzie from half Pollok’s advantage as they began to create more chances.
Gary McCann, Del Hepburn and former Bankie Nicky Little all had efforts blocked by the back line who recorded just their fourth clean sheet of the season.
And Bankies survived a late flurry of Lok chances at the death as they held on for the first trophy under McAnespie.
