RAB O’Neill returned from injury as Clydebank kicked off 2017 with a comfortable 4-1 win away to Blantyre Vics on Saturday.
A Joel Kasubandi double, along with goals from Alan Vezza and Nicky Little, sealed the win that saw Bankies go third as O’Neill returned from a 10 month absence.
Interim boss Gordon Robertson made four changes to the side that lost to Kilsyth, with Hashim Cole, Phil Barclay, Joel Kasubandi and Jordan Shelvey all returning to the starting eleven in place of Andy Paterson, Calum Gow, Stevie Young and Peter McGill respectively.
Bankies were in full control of proceedings at the KG Stadium and should’ve went ahead inside twelve minutes. Good work down the right saw Kasubandi whip a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but Burbidge blazed over from four yards.
Just five minutes later, Bankies did deservedly take the lead. The ball was knocked out to Alan Vezza at the edge of the area and, at the second attempt, he chested the ball down and volleyed towards goal, with the ball nestling in the bottom corner beyond the reach of Law.
Bankies doubled their lead soon after, when Nicky Little’s firmly struck free kick was spilled by Vics stopper Law and Kasubandi was on hand to slide in and poke the ball into the back of the net.
Mark Burbidge was withdrawn at the break and replaced by Peter McGill, and Bankies starting the half in blistering fashion as they scored a third. Kasubandi’s well struck shot cannoned off the post and fell perfectly to Little, who was alert to slot home the rebound as Bankies extended their advantage.
Bankies continued to dominate most of the possession on a heavy pitch and were rewarded with a fourth goal just after the hour mark. After a lucky bounce of the ball, Kasubandi kept the ball up before letting it settle and stroking it past Law into the bottom corner for his second of the afternoon.
With fifteen minutes remaining came the introduction of O’Neill, much to the applause of the travelling Bankies support as he replaced Kasubandi and took up a slot in the centre of midfield.
VIDEO: 10 months ago, @RobertONeill9 broke his leg in three places. Today, he made his comeback from injury at the same ground. #bankies pic.twitter.com/t93f73KpAk
— Clydebank FC (@clydebankfc) January 7, 2017
There was to be no fairytale ending for O’Neill, who saw his wicked free kick deflected wide as Bankies pushed for a fifth.
Four minutes later, Bankies squandered their chance of a first clean sheet since October as Vics grabbed a late consolation. Garry Campbell was afforded too much space and shot low past Lumsden as Bankies got back to winning ways.
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