Clyde book place in play-off final

Clyde are now a two-legged tie with Queen's Park away from a place in League One next season.
Clyde on the attack during the first half of their win at Elgin (Pic by Brian Smith)Clyde on the attack during the first half of their win at Elgin (Pic by Brian Smith)
Clyde on the attack during the first half of their win at Elgin (Pic by Brian Smith)

A crowd of 1371 watched the Bully Wee qualify for the League One promotion play-off final with a 2-0 win against Elgin City at Borough Briggs.

Jordan Kirkpatrick’s curling free-kick on 63 minutes gave Barry Ferguson’s side a lead on the day and Scott Linton’s injury time second ensured a comfortable 5-1 aggregate victory against an Elgin side who finished two points ahead of Clyde after the 36-game season.

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The first half could not have gone more to the script of Clyde manager Barry Ferguson, with Elgin creating few chances and failing to really trouble John Gibson in the visiting net.

In fact, the majority of the chances went to Clyde. John Gemmill and Linton had early chances well saved and Mark McLaughlin’s header was gathered by Mark Hurst shortly before half-time.

The best chance of the first period, though, did fall to Elgin. The referee was preparing to place the whistle on my lips as substitute Stevie Ross burst through, only to be denied smartly by Gibson.

The second period began with Clyde going close to opening the scoring, Gemmill’s knock down caused confusion in the Elgin defence, with the ball almost being scrambled over the line.

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And the visitors were to go close again minutes later when Linton’s corner kick was headed past the post by David Gormley.

Elgin, much like in the first half, were frustrated and kept at arms length by the Bully Wee, with their best chances coming from set pieces.

On 63 minutes the tie was put beyond doubt by Kirkpatrick’s free-kick, which flew over the wall and into the top left-hand corner, via Hurst’s fingertip.

Elgin were reduced to 10 men 15 minutes from time when Kyle McLeod was stretchered off after an aerial collision, with the home side having made all three available substitutions.

The game was easily seen out by an impressive and professional Clyde side who went on to add a second in injury time through Linton’s delicate chip over Hurst.