Clydebank U21s returned to winning ways at the weekend with a big derby victory over local rivals Antonine.

The Bankies youngsters were looking to bounce back from last week’s 2-1 loss away to Barrhead and they did so in style, hitting Antonine for three to secure maximum points.

The home side came into the match full of confidence after picking up an excellent result against league leaders Inverclyde last week but it was the Bankies who started on the front foot and controlled possession early on.

With Clydebank still harbouring hopes of challenging for promotion, they did well to make the most of their early pressure to open the scoring with Ben Jenkins on hand to toe it beyond the outstretched keeper.

And while the early goal allowed the visitors to settle and show some confidence on the ball, the Antonine youngsters showed their quality with a wonder strike from the edge of the area getting the better of Ryan Devenney in the Bankies goal to level before the break.

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Bankies started the second like they started the first, getting off on the front foot.

But they were unable to restore their lead early on as they squandered a few glorious chances with Matt McGibbon hitting the underside of the crossbar before Slee somehow saw his rebounded effort rattle back off the post and away to safety.

McGibbon came agonisingly close once again moments later and it looked like it wasn’t to be for Clydebank after Slee’s cutback saw the Antonine keeper pull off a stunning stop to keep it level.

Clydebank’s pressure finally paid off with 15 minutes to go when some neat work down the left wing saw it fall to Jenkins in the area with the youngster remaining composed to grab his and his side’s second of the afternoon.

The visitor’s second goal seemed to spring Antonine into life as they almost hit back immediately after a defensive slip up forced Devenney into a fine stop.

With the hosts throwing everyone forward in the dying minutes, Bankies caught them on the break to put the game to bed with Slee racing through and slotting home the third. Bankies’ extra quality in the final third proved to be the difference as they leapfrogged their rivals in the table with plenty of time left in the league to mount a push for promotion.