Clyde a class above as Ferguson double sinks East Fife

Just a few weeks back some were suggesting that Clyde boss Barry Ferguson’s time at the club may be ended sooner rather than later.
Scott Ferguson bangs home his second goal against East FifeScott Ferguson bangs home his second goal against East Fife
Scott Ferguson bangs home his second goal against East Fife

But if ever there was a demonstration of the merits of sticking by a gaffer during a sticky spell it was in Saturday’s home win over East Fife.

The side oozed confidence and class across the park and looked anything but a team whose boss needed to look over his shoulder for the axe man.

Ferguson said the win didn’t flatter his side.

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“East Fife had a wee spell when we were flat and I wasn’t too happy,” he said.

“I kind of expected that after not playing for three weeks.

“But it’s down to the boys in the dressing room.

“The way they play and the way they apply themselves in training is great.

“They deserve it.

“The East Fife goalkeeper has pulled off some great saves and it could have been four or five.

“But we’ll take the three points.”

East Fife arrived at Broadwood looking to get their own title hopes back on track but weren’t given a sniff by Ferguson’s side.

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Once a game which had a scrappy start got into its rhythm, there was only going to be one winner.

Clyde have a bulk of experience within their squad, players who will have no doubt helped keep heads calm during tough times.

But on Saturday it was one of the club’s young guns, Scott Ferguson, who guided the side on to the win.

Ferguson was unplayable and led the Fife defence a merry dance.

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The visitors simply had no answer to his speed and trickery.

In front of goal he proved equally as potent, netting both Clyde goals in spectacular fashion.

Ferguson sounded an ominous warning to the Fifers during the opening spell as he fired a shot in on goal which Ryan Goodfellow did well to beat away.

The Fife number one was back on his feet to keep out Scott Durie’s rebound.

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Durie, playing against his former side, clearly fancied his chances in front of goal and unleashed a strike from distance which Goodfellow did well to stop.

Ferguson’s first goal came when he met a Chris Smith cross flush on the volley.

Clyde looked comfortable soaking up any pressure their visitors could work, knowing they had the creativity to carve them open when the chance arrived.

The over worked Goodfellow had to scramble back to save a David Gormley strike from range before then having to be at his best once more to tip a Ferguson drive onto the post.

But the best was saved for last.

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Ferguson picked up the ball deep inside the East Fife half and with the defence backing off, sent a stunning effort into the postage stamp top corner.

Boss Barry said he hoped to see more performances of this kind from Ferguson.

He said : “He can play at a higher level without a shadow of doubt.

“But he needs to show me work rate.

“In the last four games Scott Fergusonhas been immense for me.

“Before that wasn’t good enough.

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“He wasn’t tracking back and wasn’t working as hard as other members of the team so that’s why he wasn’t playing for a number of weeks.

“I had a chat with him and he’s taken it on board because I think he can go places.

“You look at the Championship and the Premier League and I don’t think there are many better than him at his age.

“He has a real chance and showed in glimpses that he has real potential.”