Clydebank manager Gordon Moffat hopes that Callum Graham’s first goal for the club is set to be the first of many.
The Bankies cruised into the second round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup on Saturday with a 7-0 win over Dalkeith Thistle at Kings Park – the same score line they beat the East of Scotland League outfit by at Holm Park in 2021 – to set up a tie away from home to Highland League leaders Formartine United.
The visitors had to be patient in the first half but finally got the breakthrough via Nicky Little’s penalty before a quickfire brace from Thomas Collins suddenly had his side in a comfortable position.
A Liam McGonigle double and James Grant’s first for the club made it six before Graham finally broke his Clydebank duck and tapped home from close range to complete the rout.
Graham scored 16 times for Irvine Meadow last season and Moff admits he never doubted the quality of his big number nine.
Speaking to the Clydebank Post, he said: “We had done our homework on Dalkeith and we had quite a bit of information on them so it was just about executing it on the pitch.
“The first-half was tricky and it took us a wee while longer than I would have liked for us to get the first goal.
“I was trying from the side not to put too much anxiety onto the boys because you can get that when you’re so on top in a game and the goal isn’t coming but then we got a wee flurry before half-time which settled everything down for us.
“In the second half we managed the game really well and were able to get some guys off and others some minutes.”
Before adding: “Callum getting his goal was big because he’s doing a lot right for us and there’s not too much I’m concerned with, but I know he was frustrating himself.
“There were a few that hit off him and spun wide and he was thinking, what is going on here and it wasn’t going to be his day again but hopefully it settles him down now.
“He’s got nothing to prove to me but I know he lives for his goals and I understand that as a number nine.”
It’s back to the bread and butter of league football for Clydebank this week and a difficult trip to Barrhead where Arthurlie awaits.
The Dunterlie Park side won at Troon on Saturday and Moff is expecting a battle against a hard-working side.
He said: “I’ve spoken to Colin Reilly [Arthurlie manager] a few times this season and he’s a good manager and knows the game very well. He sets his teams up very well and has had a lot of success in his career.
“Dunterlie is always a tricky venue to go to and they have some good quality in their squad so it will be tough but hopefully it will be for them as well.
“They will be very hard-working and organised so we know we’re going to be in for a difficult afternoon.”
Kick-off on Saturday is at 2.00pm.
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