Wishaw move up to fifth place with a win over Royal Albert

Mar 18 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

WISHAW stretched their unbeaten run to four games with a 3-0 win at Royal Albert, taking them into fifth place in the Central League Second Division.

But second-bottom Newmains United produced the division’s shock of the day by dumping leaders Yoker Athletic 3-0 in a game switched to Tilework Park in Stonehouse.

Wishaw’s run means they’re the best-placed county team in the division, but boss Alex Young isn’t entirely satisfied.

He said: “It was a really good team performance and the three gaols scored on Saturday makes us top scorers in our division with 30 goals.

“Mind you, we’ve also got the largest goals against column in the division.”

James Coffey opened the scoring and David Lynch doubled that lead when he finished off a great passing movement involving Graham Stewart, Craig McLaughlin, Derek Ralston, Coffey and Ross Stirling.

Damian Devanney grabbed a third, his fourth in two games.

Wishaw, with player-coach Gary McGrotty doubtful, will hope to match their close rivals when they take on Yoker at the Sports Centre pitch.

Newmains manager Ian Rankin was delighted with his side’s coupon-buster and said: “It was fantastic, the best performance since I became manager, both individually and as a team.”

Jodie Thomson provided the telling pass and Jason Lafferty showed good composure before netting the opener.

Lafferty pounced again seven minutes into the second half to net his and United’s second and Paul Airth followed up to notch the third after a shot had been blocked by the keeper.

Newmains are scheduled to face Greenock at home this Saturday.

Carluke Rovers bounced back from last week’s defeat by Royal Albert to beat Forth Wanderers 3-0.

Manager Whitey Moffat said: “I told the players before the game that we hadn’t always been getting the right commitment or attitude, but they responded well on Saturday and went in 2-0 at the break.

“I reminded them that we were in a similar position last season when we went on an 11-game unbeaten run that saw us go close to clinching promotion.”

Mark Reid rounded off a fine five-man passing move with a good shot to open the scoring and in 35 minutes Pat McAuley beat two players before slicing the ball away from the keeper and into the top corner.

Forth were reduced to 10 men just before the interval but regrouped and put the visitors under pressure for 20 minutes before Rovers regained the upper hand.

Captain Mark Weir, in the closing stages, ran half the length of the park before sending the ball crashing into the net.

Rovers will still be missing strikers Stuart Arnott and Stephen Ferguson, but veteran defender Andy Noble is set to return to the squad.