Carluke Rovers and Stonehouse Violet in 8-goal thriller

Mar 3 2011 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

THERE were goals galore in the Central League Second Division.

Carluke Rovers led the way as they consolidated their top slot following an eight-goal thriller at home to Stonehouse Violet.

There were also six goals to savour at the Newmains v Lesmahagow clash.

Following the 4-4 top v bottom clash at Loch Park Carluke boss Whitey Moffat said: “It was a really good game for spectators, with the added ingredient of vital goals being scored in stoppage time of both halves.

“Overall I suppose a draw was a fair result, although I was disappointed to concede a last-minute goal; that cost us two points, which would have allowed us to open up a more substantial cushion over challengers Yoker, Larkhall and Benburb.

“After scoring a late goal to make it 4-3 we should have closed them down, kept the ball wide, and played out the game as we faced time added on.”

Carluke were missing strikers Stuart Arnott and Stephen Ferguson, and around the hour-mark lost skipper Mark Weir, who has been carrying a hernia injury.

Rovers’ Mark Haddow was first on target, with Steven Baird equalising before the break.

John Gemmell headed the visitors in front from a Craig Munro cross but John McStay equalised.

John Savage nodded Rovers in front at 3-2 with Munro levelling by slamming in a Sean O’Connell knock-down.

Carluke were reduced to 10 men when Mark Reid was shown a second yellow card.

With two minutes left substitute John Mutch crossed for Jamie Dickson to blast Rovers in front, but in stoppage time Munro drilled in a free-kick to tie at 4-4.

Stonehouse boss Dougie MacDuff said: “I think Munro’s equaliser was the pick of the goals.

“He showed such composure as he prepared for the free-kick, then fired the left-foot drive into the top corner – it was a tremendous finish to an eventful game.

“I’m delighted to take a point off the team at the top of the league and I thought we created the better chances.

“Now we have Yoker at home, which is a big test, but we’re progressing well.

“I’m proud of my players and while it’s early days yet we still have a chance to climb close to that promotion place.”

Carluke head for Maryhill with former Motherwell youth player Pat McPate back after a two-game suspension, but young forward James Pollok has returned to his family in Holland.

Newmains suffered a major set-back on Saturday when secretary James Devine arrived at Victoria Park at 10am to find the premises had been broken into and vandalised.

Copper pipes had been stolen and part of the dressing room was flooded.

That forced a venue switch to Wishaw Sports Centre, where Lesmahagow ran out 4-2 winners.

Manager Thomas Devine said: “The pitch was playable but we couldn’t use the dressing room. We’ve had quite a bit of vandalism recently – a few weeks ago a set of nets were stolen.

“The Wishaw pitch had been used the previous weekend and was still a bit rutted. It wasn’t suitable for pretty football and the Lesmahagow players realised that quicker than our guys.

“They adapted sooner and took a 2-0 first-half lead.”

’Gow manager Robert Irving said: “All credit to Newmains for their efforts to get the game on.

“I didn’t think we played as well as we did against Carluke the previous week but we got the three points, although I don’t think Newmains got many breaks.”

’Gow midfielder Ally Graham scored a cleverly taken opener from 20 yards, with Scott McGeachie adding a second from a Gareth Davies cross.

Gary Murdoch and Frank Hurle combined to set up Michael Duddy to head in as Newmains fought back.

But Darren Jaffrey flighted a 45-yard free-kick into the top corner, with keeper Graham McAlpine possibly unsighted, to restore ’Gow’s two-goal lead.

Brian Crawford notched the fourth goal after pouncing on a slack passback to round McAlpine.

Duddy headed in a Lee Pettigrew cross for his and Newmains’ second late on but it was merely a consolation.

Although suffering from groin and shin injuries respectively, Graham and Barry Murdoch are expected to retain their places for the visit of St Roch’s.

Newmains have signed ex-Forth keeper Kevin Thomas while former Wishaw and Fauldhouse shot-stopper Scott Brunton is considering a possible move.

Wishaw, minus left-back Stuart Lytle and midfielder JP Fitzpatrick, went down 2-0 at St Roch’s.

Co-manager Alex Young said: “We lost a first-half goal due to a deflection – I couldn’t believe we were going in 1-0 down at half-time after being the better team and creating so many chances.

“In the second half we created three more good chances and the keeper pulled off a fantastic save to deny JP McBride.

“Then, as we pushed forward, we were caught out at the back as they added a second goal about four minutes from time.”