Lanark surge ahead at top

Feb 14 2008

LANARK United soared five points ahead of second-placed Cumbernauld at the top of the Central League First Division with a 2-0 win over St Roch’s.

Davie Gray scored with a glancing header off a Tom Hanlon free-kick, and Steve McCluskey cashed in on Craig Stark’s spadework for the clinching second.

Manager Tony McInally said: “It was a difficult game on a sticky park, with wind and a low sun in the first half making things difficult.

“But we improved in the second half and scored two early goals and that win gives us a five-point cushion and I was well pleased with the debut of Kieran Downs, whom we signed last week from Petershill.”

But the county’s two other First Division bosses were in sombre mood.

Blantyre Vics lost their unbeaten record in 2008 with a 1-0 defeat at St Anthony’s, while Larkhall Thistle went down 3-1 at home to Yoker.

That makes Saturday’s head-on clash at Castle Park all the more vital, with both sides badly needing points.

Vics boss Willie Harvey groaned: “Our old failings were back — we were the better team but didn’t take our chances and lost 1-0.

“We dominated the first half and for the opening half-hour Ants could hardly get out of their own half.”

Larkhall boss Bobby Crilly said: “It was a flat first half with both teams cancelling each other out.

“In the second half Mark Boyle produced a good block but our defenders just stood still and Yoker scored but individual errors and a lack of concentration killed us.

“Andy Dorrans had a great shot saved at 2-0 and David Crilly scored with a cross cum shot.

“It was only then that we started to put them under pressure.”

Now Vics and Thistle face a ‘six-pointer’ at Castle Park on Saturday as both hover on the brink of the league’s relegation zone.

Harvey added: “It’s a big game but we’re still quietly confident.

“The players were disappointed on Saturday, but they knew they should have done better.”

Thistle view the county derby clash with a degree of confidence, having produced one of their better displays to win the earlier clash 3-0.

In the Second Division Royal Albert did well to bounce back from a 2-0 deficit at Greenock to draw 2-2.

Manager Ian McCluskey said: “It was our first action in seven weeks, we went in 1-0 down and lost another goal early in the second half, but then we made a couple of substitutions to pull it back to 2-2.

“John McMillan was playing in his first game after almost two years out with leukaemia, and he did really well to beat three men to score.

“James Neilson equalised 10 minutes from time.”

He added: “Everyone at the club is delighted for John, and it’s terrific news for me.

“He’s not yet back to full fitness, but he trains hard and has done us a turn.”

Albert now take on league-leaders Vale of Leven, who beat Stonehouse Violet 2-0.

Thorniewood will have Eddie Logan back from suspension for the game at Shettleston, and Wishaw expect to have Darrell Docherty, Gary Murdoch and Craig McLaughlin back for the game at second-top Forth, but Scott Paterson is still injured.

Meanwhile, Carluke Rovers aim to kick-start their promotion push at home to Greenock.

Kris Jarvie is out with a broken finger, but Andy Barr will return.

Defender Greg McFarlane impressed in his first game of the season after being sidelined through injury.

Stonehouse head for Cambuslang.