St Mirren U21 took all three points against Clyde in the opening round of the Championship Challenge Cup on Tuesday evening. The visitors secured a 4:1 victory despite the hosts starting with a numerical advantage. However, that advantage evaporated quickly through two red cards. The game shifted entirely after the first quarter-hour.
K. Gilligan went off for Clyde in the sixth minute, and S. Campbell followed suit just seven minutes later. By then, the home side were down to ten men and had lost their structure completely. The referee showed no hesitation in removing the pair. It was a chaotic start that defined the remainder of the contest.
The visitors waited patiently for the hosts to react. L. Douglas broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute. C. Howie followed with a second goal in the 61st minute.
J. Lavery then doubled his tally with a goal in the 70th minute to extend the lead. The visitors continued to press high up the pitch, finding the net twice more in quick succession. Lavery scored his second in the 75th minute to put the result beyond doubt. R. Duff rounded off the scoring in the 84th minute with a clinical finish. The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive win for the away team.
The statistics reflect a one-sided afternoon. St Mirren U21 held 0.65 of possession compared to Clyde’s 0.35, controlling the tempo throughout. The visitors registered 14 shots on target against only two for the hosts. It was a case of efficiency over volume, with the away side taking their chances when they came.
Clyde’s defeat follows a narrow loss to Dumbarton on Saturday, leaving them searching for momentum. The hosts had won their previous outing 3:1 against Stranraer before that setback. St Mirren U21, meanwhile, showed resilience after their draw with East Kilbride in July. The result leaves the home side looking ahead to their next fixture.
