Clyde win keeps pressure on play-off rivals Stenhousemuir

A David Goodwillie double either side of half-time before Dylan Cogill’s first goal for the club had them three up and cruising.

Craig Beattie’s penalty proved to be no more than a consolation for the capital side as Clyde kept the pressure on rivals Stenhousemuir.

Montrose’s early goal at Ochilview was good news for Clyde, who almost got one themselves when Jack Boyle’s strike was beaten away at the near past by Calum Antell.

Mark Lamont was next to test the City ‘keeper, who produced a fine reaction save to palm away the winger’s stinging volley.

Blair Currie at the other end hadn’t had anything of note to do in the early stages, and was able to watch Lewis McLear’s volley bounce wide of his far post.

The breakthrough came for Danny Lennon’s men soon after. Referee Grant Irvine pointed to the spot after he adjudged that Boyle had been bundled over, and Goodwillie duly stepped up and sent Antell the wrong way.

Antell did well to watch a dipping Boyle volley all the way, that City eventually cleared to prevent Clyde going in two up at the break.

But within a minute of the restart, Goodwillie fired low across Antell in to the far corner for his second.

The points looked safe five minutes after the hour. Chris McStay’s inswinging corner evaded every one except Cogill, who was left with a simple task to volley home from close range.

A handball at the other end gave City the chance of a consolation, which Craig Beattie took by slotting his spot kick past Currie for 3-1.

That was a reminder that it wasn’t quite done for Clyde, and Currie had to stand up well to prevent Beattie getting City back within one after he stabbed goalward following an attempted overhead kick from Marc Laird.

The Clyde keeper almost inadvertently set up a nervy finish when his attempted clearance cannoned off Farid El Alagui and fortunately for him, bounced just wide of the empty goal.