CLYDEBANK manager Gordon Moffat hailed his injury-hit squad for starting the season in style with three points as they came from behind to win at Gartcairn on Saturday.

The Bankies boss had just 12 fully-fit players at his disposal for the opening day clash at MTC Park, but they had to do it the hard way with Mark McGuigan’s penalty on 13 minutes putting the home side ahead.

Moff was forced to reshuffle the pack after that and throw on his only fit substitute as Jamie Darroch picked up a knock in the penalty incident with Thomas Collins coming on.

He made an almost immediate impact with his low cross knocked into the net by former Bankie Creag Little on the half-hour.

Clydebank had to wait until the 70th minute to go in front when Nicky Little picked out the bottom corner from the edge of the area, and midfielder Dean Cairns swept home the third seven minutes later on his competitive debut for the club.

Moff admits his players exceptional fitness levels meant that being down to the bare bones didn’t affect them, though joked that only having one available substitute meant his mind was already made up for him when a change needed to be made.

Speaking to the Post, he said: “It was a really good away performance in really difficult circumstances.

“We started the game well, on and off the ball we were really good, and then they broke up and we have given away a penalty. After that we were shook up for 10 minutes, but the boys regained their composure pretty quickly. The boys deserve a lot of credit for battling back.

“Jamie Darroch got injured when making the tackle for their penalty and we only had one full fit substitute which was Thomas Collins [forward] so it meant we had to change the shape – in a way that’s maybe nice for me because it means no decision needs to be made between what we do.

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“We had to change the shape and finished the first-half really strong and dominated most of the second-half.  

“The fitness levels are as high as we have seen in my time at the club and that was very deliberate throughout pre-season so hopefully the guys will recover well.”

Moff will welcome at least one player back to his squad for the midweek trip to Shotts on Wednesday with Danny MacKenze returning from his holiday whilst he is hopeful over the fitness of Craig Truesdale and Ben McLernan.

It’s a busy start to the season with three games in seven days – two of which are on the road, including the tricky journey to Hannah Park.

The Bankies boss admits he won’t be able to have his players at the stadium as early as he would like for a regular fixture but hopes the conditions at the home of the Premier Division new boys will play into his sides hands.

He explained: “The logistics of getting guys there from wherever they are working on Wednesday is going to be the main challenge and then when we do get everyone there we’ve got a tough game.

“It’s a huge surface down there and they know how to play it very well, but I would hope that will also suit us and we can knock the ball about. An evening game in the first midweek of the season is always exciting and it’s another good test.

“We knew there would be a lot of points up for grab in a short period and we’ve got three in the bag but we’re not looking far ahead.

“We had them watched on Saturday and we’ll go through the report on Tuesday. If we can get a good result then it sets us up nicely for the weekend.”

Kick-off at Hannah Park on Wednesday is at 7:30pm before Bankies welcome Pollok to Holm Park on Saturday with that clash getting under way at 2:00pm.