Published: Monday, 6th October, 2008 08:30
Injury-hit Pars battle to third in league
By Simon Harris
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Clyde 0 Pars 2
THE Pars climbed to third in the first division with a battling three points at a windswept and wintry Broadwood on Saturday.
Deprived of Greg Shields, who was injured in the warm-up, Athletic’s hopes of continuing their fine away form this season received a further blow when another experienced defender, Scott Thomson, limped out of the game on 23 minutes.
Manager Jim McIntyre shuffled his pack, with the excellent Calum Woods initially replacing Shields at right back, then Thomson, at centre back, while midfielder Steven Bell came on for a surprise shift at full back.
The Pars refused to let the disruptions unsettle them and despite the heavy pitch, played the better football and looked the more accomplished side.
The home team did, however, come close to taking the lead on seven minutes when ex-Par Pat Clarke just failed to turn in David McKay’s dangerous cross.
At the other end, the Pars’ Kevin Harper was proving a threat for the Bully Wee and he released Graham Bayne with a lovely piece of skill on 20 minutes but the striker failed to take advantage.
Bayne’s partner, Andy Kirk, was not so wasteful when he was played through by Harper eight minutes before half-time. Running on to Harper’s through ball on the right of the box, Kirk fired past David Hutton in the Clyde goal with a clinical finish.
The Pars doubled their advantage with a decisive second just two minutes before the break, Harper’s snap shot from outside the box flying past Hutton.
Clyde boss John Brown threw on Gary McSwegan and Chris Higgins at half-time in a bid to salvage something from the game and although McKay and Stuart Kettlewell had a couple of half chances, it was the Pars who came nearest to scoring the game’s third goal.
Bayne’s excellent header from Kirk’s 58th minute cross looked a goal all the way but Hutton produced a magnificent save.
Mark Brown’s cross hit the top of the bar on 72 minutes but in truth, the Pars were never seriously troubled and saw out the game for a comfortable and well-earned three points.
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Pars boss gets go-ahead to strengthen for title push