Mixed fortunes for Central League Second Division clubs

Apr 22 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

CARLUKE Rovers picked up a useful point against a Benburb side that hasn’t lost at home in the Central League Second Division in over a year.

Kris Jarvie fired Rovers into the lead with a spectacular 30-yard volley midway through the first half, but within 15 minutes of the restart found themselves 2-1 down.

But Stewart Arnott levelled for Rovers in 75 minutes and manager Whitey Moffat said: “I was very pleased with our performance.”

Rovers have two Glasgow trips ahead of them. On Monday it’s St Roch’s, then Shettleston on Wednesday.

Newmains United manager Ian Rankin was in buoyant mood after hammering derby rivals Wishaw 6-1 last Wednesday night.

He said: “It was a convincing win with some brilliant displays on the night. We decided to push right-back Jody Thomson forward to provide some ‘dig’ and a physical presence into the middle of the park, and it paid off as he hit a hat-trick.

“Steve Mackie scored two and Clark Lafferty the other. We dominated the game, especially in the second half.”

Saturday’s showing was less impressive as they lost 3-1 away to St Roch’s, with the goal coming from a trialist centre-half .

Rankin said: “I felt we gave away the goals too easily, didn’t battle hard enough, and were too easily bullied off the ball.”

Newmains are now at home to league-leaders Shettleston on Saturday, then on Wednesday it’s Royal Albert, who lost 3-1 at Johnstone Burgh on Saturday.

Manager Iain McCluskie said: “We played not too badly and I felt we had two stonewall penalties turned down.”

Albert’s goal came from Davie Dickson with a 25-yard volley into the top corner. Scott McLachlan, who missed the game due to an ankle injury, hopes to be fit for the clash at home to Greenock.

Forth lost 3-0 at home to Yoker and are now set to take on Wishaw this weekend.