New Douglas Park, Clyde FC: Supporting Blameless Children's Charity

Our first match of 2026 took us to New Douglas Park for Game 12, and once again the Samba brought the weather. A bright February day set the scene in Hamilton and the lads delivered another cracking contest, raising funds for Blameless, a charity doing vital work supporting people affected by homelessness.

First Half

The Yellows started fast and took control early. The pressure paid off when Joe Dickens made a smart interception, drove forward, and clipped a ball over the defender for Graham Miller to latch onto and finish calmly. 1-0 Yellows.

Not long after it was 2-0. Miller picked out Paul McPherson on the edge of the box and McPherson produced a delightful chip into the far top corner.

Just before the break the Blues were handed a lifeline. A penalty was awarded after the ball struck a defender’s arm by his side. With no VAR to step in, Cairns made no mistake from the spot. Half time, 2-1 to the Yellows.

Second Half

The Blues came out with confidence and played some excellent football. They got their reward early on when Dirk Otway laid the ball off to Mark McLeod, who unleashed an unstoppable strike from 30 yards into the top corner. Goal of the day. 2-2.

The Blues stayed on top but were caught on the counter. Stephen Sanderson launched a long ball forward and Robbie Simpson went one on one, keeping his composure to restore the Yellow lead at 3-2.

Moments later the Yellows struck again. McPherson slipped a perfectly weighted through ball to Ryan Somerville, who finished well to make it 4-2.

The final ten minutes were tense. The Blues pulled one back when Calum Sneddon crossed for Otway, who powered home a diving header. 4-3.

As the Blues pushed for an equaliser they were caught again on the break. Somerville sent Simpson through, who rounded the keeper and slotted home for 5-3.

There was still time for late drama. With two minutes to go, Cairns’ shot deflected off Craig Darge and found the net to make it 5-4. The Yellows held their nerve and saw the game out.

Full time: Yellow Team 5 - 4 Blue Team.

Highlight of the Match

Mark McLeod's long range screamer

Amount Raised: £1,047

SQUAD

SAMBA YELLOW Andy Coventry's Team

Calum Brockway

Ross Brown

Alex Cameron

Andy Coventry

Dan Cuthbertson

Ian Davidson

Joe Dickens 🅰️

Junior Fotsing

Paul McPherson ⚽️🅰️

Graham Miller (C) ⚽️🅰️

Rich Rintoul

Stephen Sanderson 🅰️

Marc Skinner (GK)

Robbie Simpson ⚽️⚽️🏆

Ryan Somerville ⚽️🅰️

Jonny Watt

SAMBA BLUE

Kev Fettes’s Team

Mark Boggie 🅰️

Kyle Boggie (C)

Johnny Cairns ⚽️🅰️

Craig Darge ⚽️

Stevie Devine

David Donald

James Ebbs (GK)

Kev Fettes

James Lothian

Jon McGraw

Mark McLeod ⚽️

Dirk Otway ⚽️🅰️

Terry Philbin

Darren Rintoul

Calum Sneddon 🅰️