Clyde introduced new boys Michael Marsiglia into the starting lineup, along with Gary Arbuckle, Darren Sheridan and Eddie Malone. Mark Gilhaney, Stuart Balmer and Alex Walker dropped to the bench and Craig Bryson was left completely out of the squad.
Halliwell
Mensing Wilson Potter Malone
Marsiglia Sheridan Gibson
Arbuckle Wilford Harty
Hamilton fielded ex-Clyde players, Pat Keogh, Brian McPhee and David McEwan. Brian Carrigan and Chris Aitken started on the bench and Mark McLaughlin and Stevie Convery were both injured. Another ex-Clyde player, Darren Murray, was policing the ground, meaning it was even more like an "old boys reunion".
McEwan
Lumsden Hodge Thomson
Hamilton Blackadder Ferguson Waddell
McPhee Keogh Corcoran
Clyde started the match the better team and a Jimmy Gibson header was well saved early on. Gary Arbuckle was causing numerous problems for the Hamilton rearguard and it was he who set up the opening goal. Released by Harty's header, the ex-Celtic youth clipped a nice cross into the box for Harty to header home. Hamilton came back strongly and Keogh's powerful drive was well stopped by Bryn Halliwell. Then a corner was cleared off of the line by Malone, with Halliwell beaten.
At the other end, Arbuckle's pace and trickery were causing problems and this led to a chance for Simon Mensing, who's long range drive was stopped at the second attempt by McEwan. At the break, Clyde deserved their lead, after restricting Hamilton to just a couple of half chances.
In the second half, Clyde chose to correctly sit back on their lead and try to hit Hamilton on the break. The unimpressive Marsiglia was substituted and replaced by Alex Walker and he immediately went on a powerful run from which his shot was blocked over by Lumsden. Another good pass by Walker released Gibson and he squared to Aron Wilford, who's low shot was well blocked by McEwan. At the other end, Hamilton introduced Carrigan and his low freekick was well held by Halliwell.
Harty then blasted a shot from a narrow angle off of McEwan before Darren Sheridan sliced wide when well placed. Then, Keogh's moment came. Advancing from his enforced centreback position, the ex-Clyde player clattered a 35 yard shot off of the crossbar, with Bryn Halliwell getting the slightest of touches to keep his clean sheet intact. Harty then rounded McEwan but a defender managed to block his shot on the line.
So, Clyde held on for yet another 1-0 victory. The Bully Wee have yet to be involved in a game where one team wins by 2. After the disappointment of losing to Forfar in midweek, Clyde will be looking to take this victory into next weeks tie with joint second placed side Falkirk. Impressive performers for the Bully Wee, were Ian Harty, Eddie Malone, Darren Sheridan and Halliwell. Substitute Walker also did very well on the left of midfield. Gary Arbuckle was Clyde's best player for an hour but then faded, so my Man of the Match award goes to big centreback, Scott Wilson, who had his best game since joining Clyde.
Hamilton looked like a stuffy team, who won't get thrashed in too many games. They just lacked a bit of quality in attacking areas and will certainly be about the bottom of the table come the end of the season.