SHIRE RESERVES 1 CLYDE RESERVES 4

The second string went down to their third straight defeat in this season's Reserve League Cup.

While the reverse may have been the heaviest of the competition so far there was little evidence in a towsy and undistinguished 90 minutes to suggest there was three goals of a difference between the teams.

Shire's undoing was poor defending at crucial times which allowed Clyde to take full advantage.

The team looked strong on paper with David King partnering Stephen Oates in the centre ofdefence and club captain Andrew Brand pulling the strings in midfield.

The home team had the game's first clear sight of goal after only four minutes when Kevin McBride's cross found James McShane unmarked at the bck post but his effort was smothered by Clyde keeper Paul Cherrie.

Clyde's first real chance came on the 13 minute mark. Roddy McLellan skipped past several challenges before firing over a cross which was only half cleared by Ryan Carr. The ball landed at the feet of giant Clyde forward Evangelino Valentim but his effort was well blocked by Greig Mitchell.

Brand then went close twice for Shire. His first effort produced a brave diving save at his feet from Cherrie, the second was a 20 yarder that was just too high and wide.

Defensive sloppiness cost Shire went Clyde took the lead on 25 minutes. Sean McKenna's run ended with a pass in to Kevin Bradley. Rather than shoorting he opted to pass to Valentim, who looked offside, but he was allowed to continue and shoot low past Mitchell.

Ten minutes later it was 2-0. This time the livewire McLennan fed Valentim whose shot was well saved by Mitchell at the nar post. But the big Nigerian picked up the rebound and squared it across the goal line for the unmarked Bradley to tap-in.

Paul Doyle replaced Scott McDonald at half-time but Shire's defensive woes continued three minutes after the break. A long ball ot of defence should have been headed clear by King, but the Shire man missed the ball completely, allowing Valentim a clear run on goal. He fired home the third goal past the exposed Mitchell.

Shire pulled one back on 68 minutes. McBride's cross was intended for Willie McLachlan but he never reached it after having his jersey puled inside the box by Craig McKeown. McLachlan scored the resulting penalty kick himself.

Craig Donaldson, on in place of Brand, came close with a header on 79 minutes but it was Clyde who got the next goal, a long range effort from McKenna that beat Mitchell all ends up.

The Shire keeper had to look smart twice in the last five minutes to stop Clyde adding to the advantage, especially when substitute Stephen Connolly beat the ffside trap to race clearwhen he only really had Mitchell for opposition.

Shire : Mitchell, McDonald(Doyle 46), Carr, Oates, King, K. McBride, McShane(McGregor 72), Upton, McLachlan, Brand(Donaldson 58), Wilson.

Clyde : Cherrie, Doherty, Bestina, Kirkup, McKeown, Carrio(Mutch 66), McLellan(Connolly 63), Smith, Valentim(Craig 71), McKenna, Bradley.

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