SUFC

The next attack after some sloppy play in the middle of the park from Clyde saw Stute play a long ball down Clyde’s left again, but the attempt to chip Pete was poor and he held it comfortably. The next chance and probably Clyde’s best came after a long ball out of defence caught Stute’s centre halves napping. Duffer had a free run at goal from the half way line. His pace a problem for the back two. He settled himself and slid the ball past the keeper for it to agonisingly go past the post with the keeper beaten.

The next clear chance fell to Stute, a nice move down Clyde’s right resulted in the full back playing in a great cross to find Stute’s striker in freedom on the edge of the six yard box with the goal at his mercy. His header was straight at Pete, who collected it comfortably. With it looking increasingly likely that Clyde were going to get in a half time level, the sucker punch was delivered. Stute’s right winger cut inside and was allowed to run unchallenged to the edge of the box. Heggie, put in a great tackle and the ball rolled loose and was met first time by Stute’s left winger to fire home. It was more or less the last action of the first half. Clyde had felt the pressure but were unlucky to go in behind at the break. Especially after Clyde had two good penalty claims, first one for a push on Donaghey in the box and the second on Hornell after a Cruyff turn in the box.

HT Clyde 0 – 1 Stute

After a few instructions from Mailer, the Clyde went out into the second half with the belief they could get something out of this game, they had defended well when needed, but hadn’t really allowed the centre midfielders to get on it. This is what turned the tide a little in the second half. A good move down Clyde’s right, which started with Hill, resulted in a free kick. This in itself was controversial as Paddy had muscled his way past the Stute defender, after the defender had repeatedly tried to foul him. Once in the box, Paddy put the cross in for Hornell to tap home. However, the referee had pulled it back for an earlier foul. From the resulting free-kick, Gordon fired the ball low around the wall only to see his effort hit the post and bounce wide, with the Stute Keeper beaten. Clyde by far, bossed the second half, but couldn’t seem to get the break they deserved. Heggie tried his best to get his assist count off to a good start, but the Stute strikers didn’t oblige.

The game ended 1-0 to Stute, but Clyde had by no means disgraced themselves and gave a good show for the near capacity crowd. The Roving Reporter also managed to sneak a quick word with Mailer after the game.

“We certainly didn’t show ourselves up today against professional opposition which we can take a lot from. I’m glad we showed a bit more character on the ball though in the second half. A bit more belief and we could have taken a scalp here tonight.”

The RR, who has followed the Clyde to most destinations, was very impressed by the effort put in by Clyde. He was also impressed at the way Institute had set themselves up and they look like a team that is capable enough to hold their own in their coming season. The RR would also like thank Stute for their hospitality and their kind words before and after the game.

FT Clyde 0-1 Stute

After the Stute game, the Glamour boys headed out to a nearby club for a few well earned beers. The night went down well and everybody made it back to the hotel in one piece. The next day was a bust one, up early for breakfast and training. The training session after the night before was a joy to watch, especially when Stevie managed to completely make up his own session. A special thank you to Churchill FC needs to be made for making their facilities available to Clyde for training. After training, the venga bus headed south for the Go-Karting. After the two groups of qualifying the final was hotly contested in a proper formula 1 style. The eventual winner was Currie, followed by Cross in second and Donaghey in third with Heggie narrowly missing out in fourth. After an eventual trip south, the boys headed back to the hotel and after a quick turnaround, headed south to Lifford for the dogs. Many bets were placed and much was lost. Bets to note was wee Hammy’s big win and Johnny Parr’s big win on a horse called Rambo. The night was a good laugh and the boys headed back north to get a well earned rest before the second friendly.

Saturday 4/8/07

Strathclyde Uni. F. C. - v – Newbuildings F. C

Saturday came and the Clyde boys looked jaded before kick-off. The warm-up looked lethargic and Mailer was quick to point this out. The Clyde lined up with Pete in goal, a back four of Paddy, Hill, Ben and Heggie, a midfield of Birsel, Donaghey, Duff and McBride, with Hornell and Cross up front.

Clyde took a while to get going, with the passing not looking as crisp and as accurate as it was on Thursday. Chances were few and far between and the first goal came after Pete had miscued a clearance to a Newbuildings player who then hit a first time effort over Pete’s head into an empty goal. Clyde struggled to get going and were hit again fifteen minutes later, Newbuildings broke through midfield and attacked the centre of defence, Clyde defenders failed to tackle effectively, the ball broke through to the Newbuildings striker who bundled through into a one on one against Pete which resulted in a good finish. Clyde two down and looked in trouble. Clyde looked to settle a bit and the passing started to come. A few half chances came Clyde’s way but too often Clyde tried to be too intricate in the box instead of getting off a quick shot.

HT Clyde 0-2 Newbuildings

The half time team talk was a bit more serious from Mailer, but it certainly seemed to have the desired effect once the game kicked off. There was some good overlapping play down both flanks which resulted in good deliveries for the front two. It was from one of these moves down the right that resulted in the penalty, a hand ball in the box. Up stepped Cross and at this point the RR was distracted and looked away, so he didn’t see what happened, when he turned round it was a goal kick. Clyde then started to impose themselves on the game. The passing started to come back and the fitness levels looked good, albeit that the home team had made a few changes to key players. This resulted in a great move down the left by young McBride, who combined with Paddy to drive a twenty yard shot inches over the bar. The first goal came from another good move down the right, a great ball in from the right by Paddy, was flicked on by Hornell, for Hamilton to head home. The game with only fifteen minutes to go was back on. Within two minutes up stepped Hornell and did what Mailer had asked him to do. He unleashed a great curling shot from the edge of the box, to bring the scores level. Then two minutes later, Clyde were ahead, with a great move that was finished off by Hornell. Clyde were now 3-2 up. With the game looking like it was going to finish there Clyde started to play to their abilities. The game finished with Clyde the victors. The tour finishing on a high note.

Newbuildings had indeed, provided a stern test for Clyde and were a little disappointed not to take something out of the game. The RR was again impressed with the way Clyde played. They need to start a bit quicker, but once they hit there stride they look to be more than a match for any team. Newbuildings extended their hospitality back at their bar, where food was laid on. The RR was particular impressed with their hospitality and support throughout. It was interesting to watch the Clyde boys enjoying BBC 1’s Just for Laughs show as a certain Max Asante was hoodwinked by two dancing policemen in George Square.

FT Clyde – 3 Newbuildings - 2

With the game over, it was eventually time for the boys to let their hair down. VIP passes and area were arranged at Red Rooms. The area was segregated for the Glamour Boys from Clyde with nibbles and candles, for Mr Birsel’s hair. Wee hammy rounded off the tour with a fair few bottles of Dom Pom and the Glamour boys celebrated in style. Things to note from the Red Rooms were in particular Mr Duff’s dance moves, Birsel’s hair burning and Wee Hammy getting thrown on the top of a minibus. A great night was had by all and the RR went undetected in the club to report back.

The Sunday morning was priceless, Heggie, managed to sleep in and nearly missed checking out time. The minibus’ battery was stone dead and Ja had to call the local AA to get the bus started. The boys looking a little worse for wear didn’t look in the right shape of mind to go paintballing. The afternoon was priceless and even now Davey Hill has the marks to prove it. The Yellow team gave the reds a royal riding and only in the final game did the red’s decided to play for pride. So notable killings were observed, in particular poor Ja getting shot at by five boys, whilst crouched in a ball. Or Hornell getting shot nine times, Ja taking one to the face, whilst his shooter took three to the balls. The day was brilliant, and was certainly a good way to get over a hangover from the night before. Funniest thing the RR saw all day had to be Duffer using a smoke bomb as a decoy, he ran into the smoke charging the opposition, only to come running back out the way he came nearly throwing up because of the smoke.

The RR managed to smuggle himself onto the Venga bus, just before they dropped Ja off to head for the airport. The trip was a good one and you could understand the lethargic feeling in the airport. However, there was one last thing to carry out in the airport. A certain Mr Johnny Parr had to fulfil his forfeit for not wearing the correct training kit. He walked into WH Smiths and purchased the top shelf gentleman’s magazine along with a pack of handy sized tissues. The girl behind the desk must’ve only been eighteen if that. The flight home came with relief and sadness. Before the flight obviously the locals were all there shouting “Please don’t leave, we want you to stay”. Only point to make about the airport was that boys couldn’t find their way to the toilet as Ja was not there to ask.

The boys had, indeed, enjoyed a very eventful and busy first club tour. The RR for one can only begin to imagine where the next one will be, Le Manga????