Clyde had the first chance of the game, although to call it a chance is a bit over the top, as Steven Masterton fired well over and wide from almost his own half. The first real chance came from Stewart Kean, although he headed the ball tamely into Peter Cherrie's arms after David van Zanten's free kick.
Long range shots seemed to be the order of the day, van Zanten and Stephen O'Donnell both trying their locuk and noth firing over.
After twenty five minutes, Saints took the lead. Simon Lappin's cross bounced off someone inside the penalty area, and before anything could be done with it Mark Corcoran hammered it past the helpless Cherrie. The winger was being played out of position, partnering Kean up front, but was certainly impressing in the early stages.
Shortly after the restart, O'Donnell again tried his luck from distance, this time forcing CHris Smith into a save. Saints were dealt a blow shortly after when Hugh Murray picked up a knock and had to be replaced by Charlie Adam. Adam is not flavour of the month with the Clyde fan's after handling the ball on the way to scoring against them in November. Surprisingly, an accidental handball from the on loan Rangers player went unnoticed shortly after his arrival!
The game's first controversial moment arrived shortly before the interval. Adam sent a brilliant though ball to Corcoran, who in turn was flattened by Cherrie. Incredibly, Richmond waved play on and after Kean had a shot blocked, Clyde launched an attack with Corcoran still lying on the ground. The Clyde attack came to nothing, and the ball was finally put out of play to allow Corcoran some treatment. A foul? Definitely but Richmond bottled it as he'd have had to send Cherrie off.
Controversy number two arrived just before half time. Adam picked up a loose ball and charged into the box, avoiding several tackles. He looked about to shoot when he went to ground under pressure from Craig McKeown, and Richmond pointed for a penalty. Clyde boss Graham Roberts later claimed it wasn't a foul and wasn't inside the box. It was most definitely inside the box, and the neutral beside me said it was a stonewaller. McKeown was booked for the tackle, and kean scored from the spot to send Saints into the break 2-0 up.
Two more talking points came before Richmond blew for half time. First, van Zanten was booked for diving when it appeared he had been fouled. Then, Kirk Broadfoot played Smith into trouble with a terrible backpass that the young keeper missed before it was put out for a corner. Broadfoot wasted no time dishing out the abuse, however it seemed that the big defender was actually the man at fault.
Saints had been great in the first half and deserved their two goal lead. However, you knew things wouldn't last and less than two minutes after the restart, Clyde were back in the game.
Tom Brighton got onto a through ball and raced towards goal. Smith wasn't sure whether to come or stay on his line, and before he had made up his mind Brighton lifted the ball past him to make the score 2-1. Shortly after the goal, Adam was fouled by O'Donnell and was booked. Remember that, it'll be important later.
Clyde continued to press and big nosed Alex Williams should have levelled the scores after 53 minutes. Brighton played him in, but the ugly one fired wide when it seemed easier to hit the target. Craig Bryson, Williams and sub Garry Arbuckle all had chances for an equaliser over the next fifteen minutes or so, but couldn't take advantage of them. The best any of them did was to fire tamely at Smith, who was given a few warnings for taking his time between kicks.
Saints were dealt another blow with just over twenty minutes left when Broadfoot collapsed in a heap at the corner. He continued for a few minutes after treatment before being replaced by Maxwell. However, he could count himself lucky to make it that far, as just before his withdrawl he had gone to ground and grabbed the ball with his hands. In some cases that would be a straight red card, however he was issued with a yellow.
Instead it was Clyde who found themselves down to ten men, and they could have no complaints. A poor Clyde throw in was collected by Corcoran, who was then promptly flattened by O'Donnell. Booking number two for the former Dundee United man, and it was fully merited.
Saints suddenly improved, although only slightly, after gaining a numerical advantage. Alan Reid played in Kean, but his shot was superbly saved by Cherrie. Saints continued to push and Adam fired over with his right foot after being set up by Kean.
There was some more controversy in the final five minutes. First, Brighton picked up a yellow card for a stonewall barge into Smith. Two minutes later, he did the exact same thing, but Richmond bottled another decision and allowed him to stay on. Andy Millen was then promptly fouled by Eddie Malone, who was lucky not to already be booked, and the Clyde player also entered Richmond's book of shame.
Fortunately that was all the action, apart from David McKenna replacing Kean late on. Saints had done well in the first half, but went off the boil big style in the second and were lucky to hold on for three valuable points. Mind you, Clyde had few chances and wasted what one's they did.
Saints are now nine points clear, although despite this Clyde are better than us according to Graham Roberts. Very good, that's why we're eleven points clear of your team.