Scoring goals won’t patch poor defense
Leaky backline a concern for Bully Wee
Chris Smith scored his first goals of the season for Clyde – then insisted not conceding them should be the team’s top priority.
The Bully Wee defender bagged a brace at Broadwood to help his side to a second league win of the campaign on Saturday, writes Colin Paterson.
Sean Higgins was also on the scoresheet with a double while Craig Sives’ own goal ensured Clyde went nap.
Cowdenbeath twice pegged back the hosts through Dean Brett’s penalty and a longrange drive from Brian Ross.
A late consolation was later plundered when Clyde sub David Gormley turned a Fraser Mullen free-kick into his own net.
And Smith admitted the goals conceded was as much of a topic of discussion after the game as their potency in attack.
The 27 year old said: “It’s always good as a defender to get a couple of goals to help the boys but conceding three is not something I want to be doing.
“We need to start stopping them. We can’t keep relying on the strikers to score four, five and six goals to win a game for us.
“The strikers are on form just now so I’m not going to complain. We’ve just got to get it together at the back.
“We’re obviously happy to get the three points. The most important thing is to win, even it is 10-9.
“You’ve got to keep the fans entertained – you can’t let anyone leave early! Seriously, I’m sure we will get it right and if we can we will be fine as we can always score goals.”
Clyde’s attacking play was a huge positive and Smith reckons there is a lot for the Bully Wee faithful to get excited about.
He added: “The players we have got in should be at a higher level. We’re always going to score goals and look dangerous.”
Smith headed home the opener from Dylan Easton’s free-kick before Brett levelled from the spot. It was 2-1 when Higgins tapped home with Ross levelling for Cowden who trailed at the break after Sives’ own goal.
Higgins made it 4-2 following a brilliant move involving Peter MacDonald and Matty Flynn before Smith added a fifth. Gormley’s own goal completed the scoring.
Clyde – who have this weekend off after being knocked out of the IRN-BRU Cup – are up to third in the table on goals scored.
Boss Barry Ferguson said: “We just gifted three goals for no reason at all. We really need to sort it out defensively. I’m not happy and I told them that.
“They are honest boys and they know themselves. This is what training is for and this is what I’m for – to rectify these mistakes.
“It’s not us and it’s not these players. I know we’re better than that. We need to work hard to stop conceding silly goals.
“We’re really exciting going forward and some of the play was excellent. We look a real threat.”