Clyde face another Highland journey
O’Brien heads only goal to sink Bully Wee
Clyde have been handed a familiar trip to the Highlands in this year’s William Hill Scottish Cup second round draw.
The Bully Wee will take on Brora Rangers in what is their second trip north in the competition in two years.
Barry Ferguson’s men were dumped out by Formartine United of the Scottish Football Highland League at the same stage last season.
And now they will hope to have better fortunes next month against Brora who currently sit second in the Highland league having lost one game in 10.
The sides last met in November 2013 when Jim Duffy’s Clyde won 2-1 at Broadwood in the Scottish Cup fourth round following a 0-0 draw away from home.
This year’s tie is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 22 at Dudgeon Park.
The full draw includes: Annan Athletic v East Stirlingshire, Arbroath v University of Stirling, Banks O’Dee v Formartine United, Berwick Rangers v Civil Service Strollers or Hawick Royal Albert, BSC Glasgow v Beith Juniors, Buckie Thistle v Gretna 2008, Cowdenbeath v East Kilbride, Edinburgh City v Forfar Athletic, Gala Fairydean Rovers v Elgin City, Huntly v Spartans, Leith Athletic or Cumbernauld Colts v Forres Mechanics or Lossiemouth, Linlithgow Rose v Stirling Albion, Preston Athletic v Montrose, Turriff United or Bonnyrigg Rose v Cove Rangers, Wick Academy v Whitehill Welfare.
Clyde...........................0 Forfar Athletic ............1
Clyde fell eight points behind leaders Forfar Athletic at the top of League Two after a 1-0 defeat to their title rivals.
Thomas O’Brien headed the only goal of the match to seal the points and keep up his side’s unbeaten run of seven wins in a row.
Despite dominating possession, The Bully Wee failed to break down a stubborn Forfar defence and were denied a penalty on two occasions in the second half.
After speaking with Loons’ gaffer Gary Bollan after the match, Ferguson and his counterpart believed Clyde deserved something more out of the match.
“Obviously I’m disappointed when we’ve set out to win the game,” he said.
“I know Gary Bollan really well and even he said we were the better team but at the end of the day they’ve got the three points.
“We are down to the bare bones in terms of players and we’ve got players playing out of position and I had to change the system again.
“It’s probably my first time as a manager that I’ve went in [to the dressing room] and said I couldn’t have asked for anymore.
“The performance, effort and commitment was all there but the only thing missing was a goal.
“We had a lot of chances and dominated the game, there’s no doubt. Forfar have come here and they’ve probably not played as well as they think they should but they’ve went away with three points.”
Ferguson made one enforced change to the starting line-up following last week’s win at Elgin, with David Gormley coming in for the suspended Martin McNiff.
The visitors started brightly and had an early chance, but Lewis Milne’s shot went past the post. However, as the first half progressed, Clyde started to dominate. Scott Linton’s low drive was well saved by Grant Adam and the keeper also kept out Sean Higgins curling effort.
The Bully Wee had the ball in the net minutes later but David Gormley’s effort was ruled out for offside.
Shortly before half-time, Forfar took the lead as Thomas O’Brien headed home at the back post from a corner kick.
The Loons changed their approach after the break to a more defensive shape and Clyde spent the majority of the half trying to break down a stubborn defence.
There were two major talking points, as two strong claims for a penalty were waved away by Gavin Ross; firstly when Peter MacDonald was adjudged to have been manhandled in the box and secondly when Phil Johnston went down after a sliding challenge by Michael Kennedy.
Deep into injury time, there was an agonising scramble in the away penalty box, as MacDonald’s header was superbly saved by Adam before Perry’s return shot was blocked and the ball was eventually cleared away.
Clyde will travel to Berwick Rangers on Saturday (3pm kick off ) in search of three points to reduce the gap at the top of League Two.