After a poor 2012/13 season of relegation and cup disappointment, the club was eagerly anticipating a new year to get Strathclyde back to winning ways. With new captain Mungo Hay at the helm the team’s sights were set high on bouncing straight back up to division 2A and putting in a genuine challenge for the cup.
The Clyde’s League 3A campaign got underway with a convincing 8-1 win over Glasgow University 2s, a performance that the team hoped would set the standard for the season. The league opener was quickly followed by the start of an aspiring Scottish Cup run against Glasgow University 1s, a game of fine margins that finished 1-1. From this point it was plain sailing for Strathclyde as the team consistently put in impressive performances, with highlights including an 11-0 win over St. Andrews University 2s.
The first real test in the league came against Robert Gordon University; title contenders who were the only other team to keep pace with Strathclyde all season. It was a tough game that ended 0-0, with the team feeling like they should have taken more from the match. After notching up more impressive wins in the league against Glasgow Caledonian and St. Andrews the quarter-finals of the cup had finally rolled around. Strathclyde put in the best performance of their season so far to eliminate Abertay 4-0, returning the favour from last year.
The next big occasion was the Cup semi-final against bitter rivals Glasgow University. A thrilling game of sending offs, agonising misses and last gasp goals finished 3-3. In the end it would be the Clyde that marched on to the final after a nerve shredding penalty flick finale. Strathclyde had the treble of the League, Cup and Glasgow Cup in their sights. There was a real buzz of anticipation throughout the whole club as the season reached its climax.
The squad made the long journey to Aberdeen for the league decider to face a strong RGU side, also boosted by the fact they had battled their way to the Cup final. Only a win for RGU would see them snatch the title from Strathclyde. In the last play of the game RGU managed to earn a penalty corner, having only just managed to wipe out Strathclyde’s two goal advantage. The game was won with the last touch of the ball, handing RGU a 3-2 win, and the League. The team had to bounce back quickly from that excruciating bus ride home to take on the Glasgow Cup, barely a week away.
The Glasgow Cup proved to be another adrenaline-charged match day; full of drama and tension. Unfortunately Strathclyde saw another one of their treble trophies slip away as Glasgow University won the Cup on goal difference, gaining revenge for their semi-final exit.
Cup final day; the last game of the season and last chance for silverware. Strathclyde faced off against RGU for the third time this season, and the team zealously awaited their chance for retribution. The Clyde put in their biggest shift of the season and everyone gave their best effort, including the twelfth man who made the trip up from Glasgow. Strathclyde hung on to see off a late RGU charge to win 2-1 and claim the Cup and finish their season with a win.
To round off the report I caught up with club oddball and team Captain Mungo Hay for his reflections.
“It has been a mixed season that thankfully ended on a massive high winning the Conference Cup.”
“If you look at our team statistically, we only lost 2 games the whole season, which is a pretty good record. Unfortunately 1 of those games meant RGU went up instead of us, but they had a great season and good luck to them in 2A.”
“I am also looking towards the future as there were a strong number of fresher’s who were regular squad members this season, setting us up well for the years to come.”
Now the season is all but over, it is time for a well-deserved summer break for the lads in maroon.
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