ALAN Vezza scored a late winner as Clydebank finished top of the their group to progress to the Quarter Final of the Sectional League Cup.
The skipper stabbed home from a Peter McGill corner four minutes from time as Bankies set up a last eight tie against Kirkintilloch Rob Roy.
Manager Budgie McGhie made two changes to the side that beat Maryhill, with Robert Tiropoulos and Cammy Haddow replacing Josh Lumsden and Joel Kasubandi.
Bankies chose to stick with their 3-5-2 formation, and it was defender Jamie Darroch who almost opened the scoring for the visitors. From a corner on the right, Darroch’s acrobatic bicycle kick was cleared off the line as Bankies looked to make an early breakthrough.
Then, good movement from Burbidge saw him weave his way into the Ashfield box, but his right footed effort cannoned off the post and was cleared to safety.
Tiropoulos had little to do in a disappointing first half, with only one save of note – reaching well to tip Paul Mallon’s shot over the bar.
After the restart, Bankies were forced into an early substitution. Jamie Lyden replaced the injured Andy Paterson, with Lyden making a vital standing interception just moments after entering the action.
Soon after, Peter McGill and Joel Kasubandi entered the fray, replacing Cammy Haddow and Stevie Young respectively.
With word of Yoker’s lead against Maryhill reaching Saracen Park, Bankies knew they too had to score to finish top of the group.
Great link up play down the right between McGill and Burbidge saw the latter slip the ball to Kasubandi, but the striker delayed his shot, with Ashfield defender Craig Murphy able to close down the resulting effort.
Making room at the edge of the area, Nicky Little turned his man before unleashing a goal bound effort, only for Martin Storey in the Ashfield goal to produce a wonder save, tipping the ball on to the crossbar.
With less than five minutes remaining. Bankies did finally make the breakthrough. Peter McGill’s corner found it’s way to Vezza inside the area, with the captain stabbing the ball through the legs of Alex Donnelly and past goalkeeper Storey.
A late minute Ashfield corner gave the travelling Clydebank support a late fright, but it was cleared well by Calum Gow and Bankies secured their place in the next round.
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