Match Report

Annan Athletic were dealt a severe blow to their play off hopes when Clyde’s Jamie Pollock struck the decisive winner late on to keep alive Clyde’s slim play off hopes. It was a match Annan will want to put behind them behind them quickly as they continually struggled to get any rythm into their play and without the influence of the injured Weatherson up front Annan produced few moments of any real threat which was liable to break down the compact Clyde defence.

Annan were forced to make changes from the starting eleven which lifted the points against East Stirlingshire with Peter Weatherson and Andrew Mitchell unfit and with Steven Black being suspended it presented an opportunity for on loan Ranger player Junior Ogen and Kenny MacKay to head the Annan attack and with Jordan Hart being on duty for the Scotland Under 19 team it meant a welcome return in goal for Alex Mitchell.

The first half produced few moments of mention for Annan with Clyde enjoying the bulk of possession but like Annan they failed to find any cutting edge up front. Ross Fisher headed McDougal’s corner past the post in the 19th minute and in the 28th minute David Marsh fired over the bar following a corner kick.

Annan’s only threat in an otherwise disappointing first half saw Stuart McColm deliver a low inviting cross to the near post. Josh Todd was presented with an opportunity in the 39th minute but he hid not catch the ball cleanly and keeper Alan Martin dealt easily with the shot. With half time approaching Clyde forced another corner kick and Mark McLauchlin’s header went past the post.

Clyde started the second half with Roberts and Pollock taking over from Parker and Slane but it was Annan who started the brighter with a rare McColm run ending with a ball aimed at Kenny MacKay. At the other end Brian McQueen came very close with a fine shot from the edge of the box.Minutes later Mitchell pulled off a good save to turn McQueen’s effort round the post. Annan forced a couple of corners and MacKay tested Martin from the second corner.

Alex Mitchell made a stunning save to deny a point blank effort from McLauchlin following a corner. At the other end Ogen’s header deflected off McLauchlin. As the game approached the last few minutes Annan won a corner when McClom’s shot was turned past the post by Martin and from the corner Steven Swinglehurst’s powerful header went narrowly over the bar. It was the closest Annan came to scoring in the entire match.

Clyde had the last say when Jamie Pollock cracked in a superb low shot from the edge of the box in the 87th minute and the goal keeps alive Clyde’s slim hopes of grabbing the play off spot. For Annan it was a game they will want to forget quickly there were few players who take any credit from the game with Alex Mitchell and Jack Breslin being the pick of the bunch.

With 5 games to play there is no margin for error from Annan if they are to make the play offs but their lack of consistency all season would suggest they face an uphill task.

ANNAN ATHLETIC: Alex Mitchell, Jack Breslin, Martin McNiff, Peter Watson, Ryan McStay, Steven Sloan, Josh Todd ,Kenny MacKay, Junior Ogen, Stuart McColm. Subs not used Jordan Brown, Callum Cook, Chris Dickinson, Steven Logan, Rabin Omar, Dan Wadge, Jake Gemmel.

CLYDE. Alan Martin, Scott Durie, Craig Halknet, Gerard Traynor, Mark McLauchlin, Ross Fisher, David Marsh, Steven McDouga, Hugh Murray, Keigan Parker ( Jamie Pollock HT), Brian McQueen, Pall Slane ( Pall Roberts ht). Subs not used David Gray , Conor Lynass, Mark McMillan GK.

REFEREE: George Salmond Assistants Graeme Stewart and Matthew MacDermid.

Attendance 485