11th Sep 1999 Clyde 2 Partick Thistle 0 (SFL Second Division - game 6)

matches:1999-00: ← 10game 1112 →

	Allan Maitland	John Lambie	58y, 6m, 9d

		Stephen Docherty; Albert Craig; Andy Walker; Des McKeown
		Eric Paton; Tom McAllister; Scott Miller; Eddie McGuinness

Martin McLauchlan (0-1, 25 mins); Andy McClay (0-2, 76 mins)
Darren Murray; Jamie Mitchell; Andy McClay; Pat Keogh		Kenny Brannigan; Stephen Docherty; Robert Dunn

Martin McLauchlan (Ritchie McCusker, 64 mins); Darren Murray (Craig Cranmer, 69 mins); Tom Woods (John Barrett, 77 mins)		David Elliot (Quinton Jacobs, 51 mins); Robert Dunn (Isaac English, 79 mins); Stephen Docherty (Eric Paton, 82 mins)

	Gordon McIntyre	Kevin Budinauckas	24y, 11m, 26d
	Bryan Smith	Gavin Duncan	26y, 1m, 4d
	Darren Murray	David Elliot	29y, 9m, 29d
	former Jag Ian Spittal	Ray Montgomerie	38y, 4m, 25d
	Mark McLaughlin	Kenny Brannigan	34y, 3m, 3d
	future Jag Jamie Mitchell	Alan Archibald	21y, 8m, 29d
	Andy McClay	Stephen Docherty	23y, 6m, 24d
	Martin McLauchlan	Albert Craig	37y, 8m, 8d
	Brian Carrigan	Andy Walker	34y, 5m, 5d
	Tom Woods	Robert Dunn	20y, 2m, 14d
	future Jag Pat Keogh	Des McKeown	29y, 7m, 24d

			29y, 2m, 1d

	Craig Cranmer	Quinton Jacobs	20y, 7m, 20d
	Ritchie McCusker	Isaac English	27y, 9m, 30d
	John Barrett	Eric Paton	21y, 1m, 10d

TTA report

Typically hard and bruising. Poor defensive work gave Clyde the lead from a free-kick (25). Craig's pen was saved. The second half saw some heavy challenges and wasn't pretty. Clyde scored a spectacular 2nd with a shot from just inside the Thistle half (76). With no goal threat, Thistle never looked like getting a result.

Media report

13-Sep-1999, Daily Record

WHAT A FEAT OF McLAY - GLORY GOAL HELPS ANDY PUT TROUBLES BEHIND HIM. IT was far from sexy football but let's face it, derby matches rarely make pretty viewing. The only glimpse of beauty in the battle of these bitter rivals was Andy McLay's stunning 35-yard wonder goal. It was the pint-sized midfielder's first since returning to action after a dispute with the club. And as he wallowed in the glory of a strike worthy of winning any derby in the world, McLay insisted he is ready to put his off-field troubles behind him. He said: “The differences have all been settled now but it was all my fault in the first place. I don't want to say any more about it and I am glad it has all been sorted out. I didn't really want to leave Clyde and I am delighted to be staying.” McLay was surprised Partick Thistle's defence didn't close him down to prevent him getting in the sizzling shot that put his side 2-0 up. He said: “I had a clear sight of goal and I couldn't believe the space I had been given. I decided to hit the ball and luckily it went in. The Junior players brought to the club have now established themselves and have taught the rest of us to battle for each other. It is time for us to start climbing the table. Unlike last season we are no longer surprise packages. We battle every week and play every 90 minutes as a derby.” Clyde underlined that by showing they were by far the hungrier.

Thistle had plenty of possession but failed to find the net despite the presence of on- loan former Celtic striker Andy Walker. It was a keenly-fought derby and referee Stuart Dougal booked seven players, although he was inconsistent with the use of the yellow card. Thistle made a bright start but were unable to find a way past Clyde keeper Gordon McIntyre - not even from the penalty spot. McIntyre, standing in for broken finger victim David Wylie, was immense. The highlight of his afternoon's outstanding work came in 36 minutes. David Elliot was brought down by Jamie Mitchell and Dougal immediately pointed to the spot. Mitchell was booked for his protest but hero McIntyre dived brilliantly to his right to save Albert Craig's penalty. By then Clyde were 1-0 up with an 11th minute goal. Brian Carrigan swung in a free kick and the ball appeared to sail straight into the net. But Martin McLauchlan claimed afterwards that he had got a touch on the ball before it went in. McIntyre was back in action two minutes after his penalty stop when he made two saves at point- blank range from Walker and Craig.

The arrival on the pitch of 20-year-old Namibian international Quinton Jacobs after 51 minutes was met with rapturous applause from the Jags fans. The man, who once spent a month on trial with Manchester United, never lost the ball when he had it but he failed to set the game alight with it either. And even Jacobs could only look on in admiration as McLay fired in Clyde's second with his screamer in 76 minutes.

After Thistle's first league victory of the season against Queen of the South a fortnight ago, boss John Lambie admitted his future was at stake if they hadn't won. One draw and a defeat later it would appear that little progress has been made and they are anchored at the bottom of the table with just four points from six games. Serious questions must now be asked of Lambie's ability to revive the club's flagging fortunes. He said: “It was a sin we came in 1-0 down at half-time but we have only ourselves to blame. The team that works hard enough will always get a result. Everything was going well in the first half but in the second we resorted to punting the ball up the park. I think my words are falling on deaf ears. We are bottom now and we've got it all to do. I expect a lot more from my players. It's time for them to stand up and be counted.”

Clyde boss Allan Maitland could not mask his delight and he singled out stand- in keeper McIntyre for special praise. He said: “Gordon was magnificent but it was a fantastic goal which sealed it for us. Thistle never looked like scoring and with six of my players out injured I couldn't ask for any more than a 2-0 victory in a derby match. It really means a lot to the supporters to win these games but I can assure them it means a lot to me and the players as well. You've got to win your battles in derby games and we won most of ours in this one.”

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