There were two possible outcomes after an ultimately close run bout on Saturday against Celtic. Pushing one of the two best sides in the country until the very end would either galvanise or drain the Wasps for their League return at Clyde.

Just from the bench it seemed to be the latter. Nine on the bench and 5 substitutes were approved this week but Alloa could only name six on the bench. Mouhamed Niang, was also missing after his citation by the compliance officer and subsequent upgrade of a yellow card to red. Although Alloa were bolstered by the loan signing of Blaise Riley-Snow from Raith who went straight into the starting 11.

Clyde had managed on Tuesday to snatch a 2-2 draw against Airdrieonians but certainly looked the sharper of the two teams as the game kicked off. They carved the first chance of the game with Docherty’s cross to Jamieson headed just wide by the on-loan St Mirren forward. The Wasps had to make a quick change as Robertson was replaced by Scougall and Alloa managed to test Parry with a particularly tasty long range effort from Kevin Cawley but it was Clyde who made the breakthrough with a ‘different’ set piece. Durnan misjudged a bounce and collided straight into the Clyde forward with his head to concede on the edge of the box. Instead of attempting the shot, the two man decoys spun away and stroked the ball around the visitors defensive wall. Aaron Splaine smashed the ball into the bottom corner past the planted Hutton.

@ClydeFC go one nil up Aaron Splaine scoring against @AlloaAthleticFC in @cinchuk league 1 match today pic.twitter.com/Vrp2PWwFwB

— David Glencross (@dgxwasp) January 29, 2022

Alloa had their moments as Sammon and Boyd linked up well but the strikes didn’t meet the quality of the build-up play. Alloa should have had a penalty just after the half hour mark when Durnan was grabbed from behind from a corner. Durnan still won the duel but could only direct the ball wide of the goal and the grapple was certainly a limiting factor. Alloa continued to be profligate for the first half.

In the second, the visitors renewed their siege on the Clyde goal. Durnan’s dink to Sammon almost was directed into the top corner but for the strong wrists of Neil Parry after the Irishman unleashed a powerful effort. Boyd and Taggart were next to see their efforts saved by Parry. Boyd, soon, wrangled his way through three men in the box and opened the opportunity for a 1v1 with the Clyde goalkeeper, but he proved to big a barrier as Boyd could only smash the shot against his sprawling legs.

Kevin Cawley almost laid a cross onto a plate for Sammon after Riley-Snow’s searching ball but as it bounced on the 6 yard box and accelerated Sammon was just an outstretched leg from equalising. Alloa should again have been awarded a penalty. The outstretched arm by Docherty was the only obstacle to Boyd’s goalbound effort but the referee wrongly ignored the Alloa complaints. While this was happening, Durnan stayed alert and rolled to Adam King but he was dragged wide after rounding Parry and could only cross the ball harmlessly back onto the penalty spot for Clyde to clear.

Sammon headed wide, and soon after carved the most clear cut chance of the game after laying off to Cammy O’Donnell the youngster’s first time cross snapped through a crowd of players. Landing perfectly for Scougall – he blazed over the bar when it looked easier to score.

@gregorytade11 puts @ClydeFC two up against @AlloaAthleticFC today. pic.twitter.com/AHEJcG3lxY

— David Glencross (@dgxwasp) January 29, 2022

As Alloa committed forward, David Goodwillie who was struggling for fitness was left with up against Andy Graham alone. The Alloa captain committed what looked a good professional foul but it came back to bite the Wasps. Docherty’s free-kick from range was on target but inexplicably David Hutton, palms the ball down to the racing Clyde veteran Gregory Tade, who duly poked home and sealed all three points for Clyde. Alloa would have a late reply amidst the chorus of ‘sacked in the morning’ as Church’s delivery into Sammon was headed into the path of Scougall. The midfielder made no mistake this time, but in the end it was too little too late for Alloa.

@Scougall10 scores @AlloaAthleticFC goal at @ClydeFC today in the 2-1 defeat in @cinchuk league 1 pic.twitter.com/gupSoThjo9

— David Glencross (@dgxwasp) January 29, 2022