Two out of three aint bad for Bankies in Benidorm

Clydebank FC Under 16s travelled out to Benidorm over easter for the prestigious Costa Blanca Cup and the boys found themselves up against top Spanish sides. They aquitted themselves well winning 2 out of their 3 matches but missed out in the semi final stage by 1 point after finishing 2nd in the group. The matches were played in top quality pitches in various stadiums around the Benidorm area in superb weather conditions.

Match 1

EMF Calpe 2 v 0 Clydebank FC

Clydebank Boys FC 16s had their first match in the Spanish sunshine and the boys travelled out to Calpe to take on the home team in a tough match that saw the boys compete well and more than match the Spanish opposition.

The young Bankies had a series of corners early in the match that saw the Spaniards clear off the line from Botti Bia-bi and Chris Warrilow come close with a great chance before Calpe scored to take the lead before half time.

The young Bankies pushed for the equaliser in the 2nd half  as a clear handball from the Calpe defender in the box was denied by the local referee and Toye hit the bar from a few yards out. Calpe hit the young Bankies with a sucker punch late in the game and this result would prove costly for the Bankies later in tournament.

Match 2

C.D Moratalaz 1 v 3 Clydebank FC

Clydebank Boys FC 16s had it all to do when they come up against a team from Madrid that were highly fancied in the tournament. The Bankies made tactical changes in this match which worked a treat. Clydebank took an early lead as a Ryan McAllen freekick was headed into his own net by the Madrid defender.

The in form Joe Toye made a great run down he right and put in a perfect pass into the edge of the box for the incoming Joe McGinley to rifle a shot into the net. 

The Spanish team were well rattled at this point as Justo linked with Toye again cut into the box and sent a diagional shot into the top corner as the young Bankies found themselves 3-0 up against one of the best sides they have ever played.

The Madrid side pulled back a goal before half time. The Spaniards resorted to the physical side of there game in a heated second half that wasn't helped by a poor referee with Joe McGinley also hitting the post. But the young Bankies did their coaches and travelling support proud by seeing out the game and defeating the top Madrid outfit.

Match 3 

C.D Calasanz De Santander 0 v 2 Clydebank FC

Clydebank went into the final group game knowing that other results would have to go their way and they would need a win with as many goals as possible to reach the semi finals.

The young Bankies dominated this match from start to finish against a physical side from Northern Spain. Calum Davidson opened the scoring with a good drive into the bottom corner to give Clydebank a 1-0 lead.

Bankies were awarded a freekick outside the box and Ryan McAllen squared to Botti Bia-bi to flight in a good strike over the keeper into the net.

  

Unfortunately results in other groups didnt go Clydebank's way as the boys knew finishing second in their group would not secure a semi final place. But the boys held up their heads knowing that 2 wins out of 3 against top Spanish sides was a great experience in what was a superby run tournament.

Amazingly the young Bankies have played in four European tournaments in Holland, Italy and Spain twice and have lost only 1 match out of 24 matches played.

Clydebank squad: Macdonald, Ross, McGarvey, McConachie, Kalume, Devitt, Warrillow, Thompson, Davidson, McAllen, Justo, Cruickshank, McGinley, Conlin, Toye, Bia-bi. 

source

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