Clyde Apollo 5-9 Belleaire

Yesterday we had the pleasure of hosting Belleaire in the Donald McNair Scottish Cup. This is the first time we’ve competed against a non WFA criteria side and knew we had a game on our hands.

Both sides started well but it was us who got the first shot on target as a corner was whipped in and headed on target but cleared off the line. Up the other end though it’s Belleaire who break the deadlock as a ball is played through which our keeper misjudged and it’s taken round him to make it 0-1. 8 minutes later, we don’t clear our lines and get punished as a ball is switched to the other wing this time and slotted home to make it 0-2. 17 minutes played and a nice ball is played over the top which finds Justin who plays in J who finds the net to pull one back 1-2. Once again were caught out with a ball played wide as Belleaire restore their 2 goal lead. 1-3. The 2 goal lead isn’t kept for long though after some nice play finds Welshy with a chance to get a shot away just outside the box but is blocked, but hit first time by Swanny for a tidy finish into the bottom corner. 2-3. Around 5 minutes before half time were caught out by a corner as Belleaire once again restore their 2 goal lead. 2-4. We get one more shot away before the end of the half which wasn’t enough to change the score.

HT 2-4

We never had the luxury of rolling subs that were used to, and with the guys chasing after fitter/faster players than they’re used to we could see it was taking its toll so had to make a few changes at half time. The half started pretty evenly contested but after 15 mins Belleaire extend their lead after we switch off at the back. 2-5. This is quickly followed by another as again we weren’t switched on for the quick free kick which is played into the feet of their front man who makes it 2-6. Belleaire used their pace to their advantage as they made it look easy to make it 2-7. We fell victim again of not clearing our lines correctly but take nothing away from the Belleaire player who scored a cracker from around 20 yards. 2-8. After a wayward pass find its way into the Belleaire third for a throw, they throw it back to their keeper who takes a bad touch and gets quickly dispossessed by J who finds the net from a tight angle. 3-8. Almost straight from kick off were caught out with another corner as Belleaire make it 3-9. Literally straight from kick off though we go up the other end of the park and J puts in a great cross which finds Franny at the back post to knock it in. 4-9. A ball is put over the top which their CB tries to head back to the keeper but is intercepted by J who finds the net to get his hatty. 5-9. We were wrongly denied a chance to make it 6-9 after a great ball was sent into Justin who takes a cracking touch to score but is ruled offside🤦‍♂️.

All in all everyone who took part yesterday can hold their heads high, it was a mammoth ask to play against amateur opposition who probably thought they could just turn up and steamroll us. We could pick holes in the performance and say what we could’ve done differently but if truth be told, we were playing opposition literally out of our league. We’re proud of each and every one who got kitted out yesterday💛

🟡⚫️⚪️