Match Report

Clyde virtually ended any hopes Annan had of lifting the title with a deserved narrow victory over Annan at Broadwood on Tuesday evening. Annan were back to full strength and it was the same team which lifted the points against Queens Park in the previous mid week match which started this important fixture.

The home team did the pressing from the start and they enjoyed a good 15 minute spell without making any impression on the Annan defence who appeared content to let Clyde enjoy the possession without having any real cutting edge.

The nearest Clyde came to opening their account came in the 23rd minute when Scott Linton’s header was clutched under the bar by Jordan Hart. Annan created a real chance on the 31st minute when Todd,s run alomg the bye line finished with a pass into the path of Barry Cuddihy but disappointingly the shot never troubled keeper Marc Waters.

Clyde exerted some real pressure on the Annan around the 30th minute with Annan having to defend four consecutive corner kicks but the Annan defence coped well with the nearest Clyde came to scoring when Flynn headed Gormley’s net bound shot off the goal line.

Clyde made the breakthrough in the 40th minute when substitute Jamie Watson who had only been on the field minutes played a defence splitting pass into the path of David Gormley who smashed the ball into the roof of the net from 12 yards. It was a well created goal which put the home team on the road to victory. Annan however almost responded immediately when Weatherson set Up Lewis Guy but the miss-hit shot went straight into keeper Waters arms.

The second half was only minutes old when Clyde won a corner down on the left and Linton’s corner kick was headed clear by Weatherson but only as far as Jon Paul McGovern who was lurking on the edge of the 18 yard line and with plenty of space in front of him , McGovern’s looping shot dipped over Hart and into the net to give Clyde a two goal cushion.

Annan introduced Osadolor and Omar at the expense of Guy and Jago in the 60th minute in an effort to revive Annan’s flagging chances. Clyde had claims for a penalty brushed aside by referee Steven Reid in the 78th minute when Black and Gormley tussled for the ball around the penalty spot.

Annan pressed hard and they pulled a good goal back in the 80th minute when Matty Flynn scored with a well struck shot from 12 yards after a good build up down the right between Osadolor and Omar cut open the home defence.

The goal signalled the start of a period of concerted Annan pressure and you could sense the nervousness as the home team had to defend deep to sustain an anxious end to the match as Annan went all out in search of the eqauliser. The home team held firm to gain all three points which keeps them in with an excellent chance of lifting the title as they go head to head with East Fife and Elgin City for the prize. Annan’s best opportunity would now appear to be via the play offs but there is still six matches to go and it will take a conserted effort if they are to gain that prize.

CLYDE :Marc Waters, Michael Bolochowecky ( Marvin Andrews ht), Marc McLaughlin, Chris Smith, Scott Durie, Ross Millen, Scott Linton,John Paul McGovern, Scott McLauchlin, Sean Higgins, David Gormley (Jamie Watson 38 min). SUBS NOT USED:Mark McMillan GK, Reece Glakin, Steven Brisbane, John Gemmell.

Clyde Goals- Gormley (40) McGovern (47)

ANNAN ATHLETIC: Jordan Hart, Steven Black, Steven Swinglehurst (Stuart McColm 67 min), Martin McNiff , Peter Watson, Barry Cuddihy,Ben Jago ( Rabin Omar 60 min), Mathew Flynn , Peter Weatherson, Josh Todd ,Lewis Guy (Smart Osalodor 60 min). SUBS NOT USED: Blair Currie GK , Steven Sloan, Liam Park,Ryan McStay.

Annan Goals- Flynn (80)

REFEREE: Steven Reid . Assistants Kylie McMullan and Stewart Luke. Attendance 373