Clydebank manager Gordon Moffat is looking forward to what he believes will be a positive advert for non-league football when his side's Scottish Cup campaign continues this weekend.
The Bankies warmed up for this weekend's second-round clash against Formartine United with a 4-0 victory over Saint Anthony’s in the West of Scotland League Cup on Saturday.
Alan Kelly netted a brace whilst Callum Graham also added his name to the score sheet and Nicky Little scored against his 50th different club in a Clydebank jersey at Holm Park as the visitors finished with ten men.
It was a comfortable afternoon for the Bankies all-in, and Moff admits getting the second goal on the stroke of the interval was vital.
Speaking to the Post, he said: “St Ant’s had a good 10-15 minute spell in either half where they knocked it about well but for a large chunk of the game we were well in control.
“There were wee things that I was frustrated with like our tempo at times and wee bits of carelessness but nothing overly drastic as were deserved to win the game comfortably and we did that.
“The second goal right on half-time was a key time to score as it probably deflates them a wee bit after conceding early, it effectively killed the tie.
“I was looking for a wee bit more in the second-half and we did that for 15 minutes, and ironically we never scored, but there was a lot of good openings.”
For the Bankies, it’s now all eyes on North Lodge Park where the current Highland League leaders await the West of Scotland Premier Division pacesetters.
Formartine knocked out Threave Rovers in round one with a 3-2 victory whilst Clydebank have so far seen off Fort William, 10-1 in the preliminary round, and Dalkieth Thistle, 7-0 in the first round, to set up the tie.
Despite the teams having not met since a Scottish Junior Cup clash in 2008, Moff and his backroom staff have done their homework on Saturday’s opposition – with Moff admitting he and his team are more than well prepared.
He added: “It will be very tough and very physical but it’s at a good venue with a good surface so we’re looking forward to it.
“It’s got all the makings to be a good advert for non-league football and I think it will be a good game.
“We’ve used a few avenues when it comes to doing our analysis of Formartine, we’ve been up and watched them and done our usual report and analysis for the players which we will go through this week.
“You gain one or two contacts when you are doing your UEFA coaching badges so we’ve leaned on them as well and been going through a lot of the Veo footage.
“We’ve quite a comprehensive bit of analysis, maybe too much, so we’re going to dissect that and not overload the players too much.”
Bankies have experience of getting the miles in for their Scottish Cup ties with trips to the likes of Elgin in recent seasons and Fort William and Dalkieth already ticked off in this campaign.
The Holm Park side, as always, are approaching the tie in a professional manner with Moff keen to give his players the best opportunity possible of progression.
He explained: “For the Elgin tie we went up and stayed on the Friday but we weighed up the logistics with the players being part-time and having families so we’ll just travel on the morning of the game.
“We’ve got a stopover in Stonehaven where we will our pre-match food and meeting before finishing the journey. The boys will be very well looked after again, as they were for the Fort William fixture.”
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